![\"WH](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/SEI_255837306-1ff0.jpg\")
\n\t\tHardware shop WH Mogford & Son, in Westbury-on-Trym, which has been stood on the high street since the 1860s has been forced to close<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tHardware shop WH Mogford & Son, in Westbury-on-Trym, which has been stood on the high street since the 1860s has been forced to close<\/p>\n
A traditional shop in Bristol said to be the oldest in the city is closing in a matter of months after opening more than 160 years ago. <\/p>\n
Hardware shop WH Mogford & Son, in Westbury-on-Trym, which has been stood on the high street since the 1860s has been forced to close<\/a>.<\/p>\n Owner Paul Gillam, who has worked in the shop for three decades, posted a message to the shop\u2019s Facebook<\/a> followers on June 14.<\/p>\n He said: \u2018After 30 years in the business and knowing it\u2019s long history, sadly I have come to a very difficult decision to close the business permanently by the end of September 2025.<\/p>\n \u2018I have come to this decision due to the continuing decline in customer numbers, the increasing costs of stock, staffing, bank and utility charges and the desperate state of repair of the rented premises.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tSign up for all of the latest stories\t\t\t<\/p>\n Start your day informed with Metro’s News Updates<\/a><\/strong> newsletter or get Breaking News<\/a> <\/strong>alerts the moment it happens. <\/p>\n \u2018I would like to thank the many local customers who have supported us over the years.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t The shop has been described as an \u2018Aladdin\u2019s cave\u2019 of DIY, gardening and pet supplies.<\/p>\n During the pandemic, the team recalled how one gentleman would walk to the shop each week to buy 10 screws for 1p each, just so he could have a chat with staff.<\/p>\n Customers revealed how upset they were over the store\u2019s closure.<\/p>\n Peter Berry said: \u2018Very sorry to hear Paul, but not unexpected. Sadly support for local businesses generally has waned and the Hardware trade has been hit harder than many.<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t \u2018I would personally like to thank you for many years of pleasurable business and wish you, family and staff my best wishes for the future.\u2019<\/p>\n Victoria Laws added: \u2018I\u2019m so gutted for you, the staff, for us having an aladdins cave on our doorstep led by perfect customer service.<\/p>\n \u2018There probably isn\u2019t much mark up on each product and overheads are killing businesses right now, but we all need to truly support local, even the big guys, before tapping on our phone to order.\u2019<\/p>\n Paul took over the business in 2004 but had worked for the previous owner, who was the last in the line of the original Mogford family, since 1995.<\/p>\n Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n For more stories like this, <\/strong>check our news page<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow![\"WH](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/SEI_255836547-4c58.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe shop has been described as an \u2018Aladdin\u2019s cave\u2019 (Picture: Google)<\/p>\n![\"Trader](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/SEI_255740861-4d83.jpg\")
\n\t\tPaul (left) and his team (Picture: Bristol Live\/BPM MEDIA)<\/p>\n![\"Trader](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/SEI_255740895-9c49.jpg\")
\n\t\tOwner Paul Gillam, who has worked in the shop for three decades, posted a message to the shop\u2019s Facebook followers on June 14 (Picture: Bristol Live\/BPM MEDIA)<\/p>\n![\"Trader](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/SEI_255740860-387e.jpg\")
\n\t\tCustomers revealed how upset they were over the store\u2019s closure (Picture: Bristol Live\/BPM MEDIA)<\/p>\n
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