Trespass store in Canterbury 'closing down'
Published: 16:44, 01 January 2023
Updated: 09:36, 02 January 2023
A clothes shop in one of Kent's busiest high streets is "closing down".
Signs have gone up in the windows of Trespass in Canterbury saying "all stock must go".
The outdoor clothing retailer moved into the city centre unit next to the Beaney Museum in 2019.
The High Street building was previously occupied by French Connection, which closed in April of that year.
Some people raised their eyebrows when Trespass first revealed it was coming to Canterbury, with the city already home to several outdoor retailers including Mountain Warehouse, Rohan and Blacks.
Go Outdoors also has a superstore on the Wincheap Industrial Estate.
Trespass would become the latest clothes shop to shut in Canterbury.
Jack Wills in St George's Street is now permanently closed after serving its final customer in December.
In 2019, the brand became part of Frasers Group - owned by Mike Ashley - and the Canterbury branch was one of a number across the country facing the axe last month.
Meanwhile last summer, long-running vintage clothes store Funky Monks also shut.
Owner Peter Chittenden told KentOnline at the time: “We have survived through the tough times, the pandemic, cost of living crisis, online sales.
"But now we’re closing because our landlord is selling the building and there’s nowhere suitable for us on the high street.”
The city has also lost Topshop and Burton in recent years, along with department stores Debenhams and Nasons.
However, it remains a popular destination for restaurants and bars - with new Italian eatery Mirabella set to be the latest.
Canterbury City Council leader Ben Fitter-Harding has previously embraced the "shift towards leisure" in the high street.
“There’s a place for retail - Whitefriars is performing strongly and there are really low levels of void," he said.
“In other parts of the city there is a greater shift towards leisure, but I certainly don’t see that as a bad thing. I think that’s a great thing.
“Having places for people to eat is really positive. People might want to head into Canterbury for food and then go out shopping, so it supports retail.
“Following Covid, it’s a great position to be in.”
Trespass has been approached for comment.
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Phil Hayes