An independent stationery shop on Bank Street is closing down next month due low footfall and a hike in business costs.
Edwards Stationery is due to close to the public on 8th September. Owner Kamlesh Patel has been running the shop for eight years but says the building has been a stationery shop in Melksham since the 1980s.
“We managed to get through Covid and business started picking up nicely but when the war in Ukraine and Russia started, costs increased. We have been hanging on for the last two years to see if things would improve but it has not, so now it is time to close,” explained Kamlesh.
The shop stocks various stationery supplies, including pens and notebooks, envelopes and art materials.
“A lot of what we sell can be purchased in supermarkets and online, although I don’t think online shopping is such a problem for us because when it comes to things like art supplies, people like to see what they are buying,” says Kamlesh.
“Over the last two and a half weeks, ever since everything became 50% off, the shop has taken what we would have done over five or six months. Working-wise, it’s been a nice town to work in, it is just a shame people do not buy anything.”
Displayed behind the counter are two certificates showing the shop’s efforts in supporting charities which help local people. “We have had donation pots on the counter and raised £518 for Wiltshire Air Ambulance and nearly £200 for the Royal United Hospital in Bath,” says Kamlesh.
A local resident who has said she is ‘saddened’ to learn of the shop closure, Sue Mortimer, said, “Like many others, I have used it for essential stationery needs, art and craft items for myself, children and grandchildren. It has saved me going out of town for other random items, such as fabric dyes.
“The staff has always been very helpful. Sam, who was let go earlier this year after several years of service was more than a shopkeeper to many of their elderly customers. She had time to listen to them, she had a seat for them if needed. Thank you, Sam, for all you did, you are missed.
“Kamlesh Patel is an extremely helpful owner, always ready to go the extra mile. Thank you for all.”