One of the oldest family-owned retailers in UK finally closes doors after 144 years as fans say it’ll be ‘truly missed’
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ONE of the oldest family-owned retailers in the UK has finally closed its doors after 144 years. The closure marks the final chapter for Dancers that began its journey in 1880 as a boot shop in Lye before relocating to Halesowen in 1884. The shop, located on Peckingham Street, has been a staple for generations of local families, offering everything from school uniforms to formalwear.
![[The beloved business that began its journey in 1880 as a boot shop in Lye before it relocated]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/NINTCHDBPICT000956791868.jpg?strip=all&w=680)
Sadly, rising operational costs and the shift to online shopping accelerated by the pandemic left the Dancer family with no choice but to close the doors for good. On the shop's final day, shoppers turned out in droves to grab bargains and bid farewell to the store.
![[Dancers weathered two world wars, economic recessions, and the challenges of a modern retail landscape]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/NINTCHDBPICT000956791872.png?strip=all&w=680)
The atmosphere was bittersweet, with tears shed among staff and customers alike. Fifth generation owner Dave Dancer, 38, expressed mixed emotions:. "Its a mixture of sadness and relief that it's come to the last day. "My dad and aunt can now retire properly, but it's a sad time because this business has been in the family for 144 years.".
![[Many shops are closing down and one reason being the shift to online]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/detail-closing-sale-sign-shop-956794892.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
"As a family, we never got the opportunity to take a break together, and if we tried to carry on there is a chance we could have lost the business completely.". Two long-serving staff members, each with 27 years of service, were among those saying goodbye, emphasising the close-knit, family-like bond that defined the shop's culture.
![[One of the oldest family-owned retailers in UK finally closes doors after 144 years]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/NINTCHDBPICT000956791892.jpg?strip=all&w=680)
