LOCAL people have expressed their shock and sadness at the news of Alison’s Greengrocers closing down. And the news has fuelled fears for the future of the High Street.
Alison Crew has been the owner of Alison’s Greengrocers for three years since taking over from SK Fruits where she was manager for 14 years.
But after months of struggling to pay the bills Alison made the difficult decision to close the shop, which has come as a shock to a lot of people.
Alison said, “I’m very sad to close the shop but it’s been so quiet recently that I can’t keep it going anymore.
“I’ve absolutely loved my job and I will miss my lovely customers the most. But as much as I love being a part of the High Street, it’s been very difficult since the parking was restricted outside the shop. If people can’t get a space on the High Street, they drive straight off and go to the supermarket down the road and I can’t do anything about that.
“Speaking to other businesses, they are very worried about the future of their own shops. I use most shops on the High Street because I want them to survive but the council make it so difficult. The street in general has gone down hill, it’s not at all how it was when I first came here. The council do absolutely nothing for the High Street and it’s their fault shops can’t survive.
“I love Westbury, it’s such a lovely place and I’m really going to miss my regular customers. Because I’ve been here so long, I’ve known children grow up into adults and then bring their own children in.
Dilton Marsh man Roger Birnstingl said, “It’s very sad that Alison’s has had to close; it was a marvellous store and lots of people used it. Clearly it wasn’t enough and she just couldn’t compete with supermarkets. We are going to miss Alison with her smile, her readiness to help a handicapped person and her friendliness in all her dealings.
“Fewer people will want to go to the High Street now and the town has lost another piece of its character.”
Merrilyn Richardson has lived in Westbury for over 40 years and used Alison’s every week.
She said, “This is an absolute tragedy. Alison’s was not just a shop. She is a lovely, friendly person and people would pop in for a chat and elderly people could go knowing she would help them.
“I had just vowed to stop shopping at supermarkets because I heard the shop was struggling, but that wasn’t enough.
“I think other businesses in the town centre will suffer now that people have one less reason to come into the town.”
One woman who preferred not to be named said, “Alison’s Greengrocers closing is probably one of the worst things this high street will suffer and it’s all down to the council restricting the parking – it’s awful. History is repeating itself as not long ago a few other shops had to shut up shop. Now here we are again and it’s a disgrace.
Another woman who was upset on hearing the news said, “I’m quite shocked and deeply saddened. Here we go again, poor Westbury being neglected and things will only get worse for the high street. It’s desperately sad.
Alison’s was praised for it’s variety of produce. “I love that I can pop down and pick up some milk or a tub of cream and all sorts of fruits and vegetables, said another woman. “I don’t want to trek into the supermarket. I use the greengrocers at least three times a week and spend quite a lot but if there are only a handful of people who do this then no wonder it can’t survive.
“The High Street is meant to be the hub of the community but that’s certainly not the case for Westbury.”
Alison was nominated for the White Horse News’ Person of the Year award in 2012. Her nominator said, “She always shows a kindly interest and offers a listening ear to many of her customers. She shows concern for the unwell and the sick and can usually find a cheerful and appropriate comment, despite having a busy job.
“In a period before Morrisons opened we were without a supermarket and SK Fruits introduced the sale of milk, bread and dairy products to their range, much of which they have continued, and I imagine this was due to Ali. Westbury High Street would not be the same without her!”
