Brimelow’s Herbalists closure: ‘fantastic’ family business set to close its doors in 2023
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Chris Hartley - fourth generation herbalist and owner of the shop on Crackenedge lane - has announced he will be closing the family business ‘with much regret’ in February 2023.
The shock announcement comes after issues sourcing products and a lack of footfall in Dewsbury town centre, which has made it impossible for Chris, who has been behind the counter for over 33 years, to carry on trading.
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Hide AdFollowing the announcement on Facebook on Thursday, December 15, Chris said: “The shop has been a fixture in the town for decades and a lot of people are going to miss it - but not as much as I am.
![Owner Chris Hartley outside Brimelow's Herbalists on Crackenedge lane.](https://www.dewsburyreporter.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjJmMjNiNGExLTMzMWYtNGZkMC1hZDljLTlmY2YyYTIxYWU5MzozZGE1MTE5Ny1lMGFkLTRiOTItOTJkYS00ZjAxYjA2ZmI1Mzg=.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65)
![Owner Chris Hartley outside Brimelow's Herbalists on Crackenedge lane.](/img/placeholder.png)
“I am at retirement age but in an ideal world I would have loved to have done another two or three years, but it is just impossible.
“Lockdown and Covid-19 pushed people to buy online and it's never come back. And it’s not just me, it's Dewsbury in general which is exceedingly quiet.
“When I lock these doors for the last time it will honestly break my heart. I love my job and I have enjoyed every single minute of it - it’s been an absolute blast.
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Hide Ad“A big thank you to all my customers. I have loved my time serving the good people of Dewsbury, I am going to miss them all.”
![Chris has been behind the counter for over 33 years.](https://www.dewsburyreporter.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjkyYTM0YTdhLTgxOWYtNDU4MS04MWE0LWMxOTk4MDJiNmQzMzo3NGFmMTY5Ny0zM2U5LTRiMjQtOGRkNi1kMDZiNWE2OTYwNWY=.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65)
![Chris has been behind the counter for over 33 years.](/img/placeholder.png)
As a business that was founded in Dewsbury in 1887, the news has been greeted with great sadness from local’s on social media.
Abid Farid said: “Oh no! Myself and my family only use Brimelow’s. This is so sad to hear.
“Really love your shop and it will be missed. Best wishes for the future”
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Hide Ad“It will be a sad day when your door closes . Thank you for your service over the years”, said Andrea Dyer.
Fiona Beverley also said: “I am absolutely gutted to hear this Chris, you have a fantastic little business.”
Chris is urging all customers to stock up before February 2023. He added: “We have plenty of stock of most things at the moment, so you still have time to stock up.”