After six decades on the high street, shoe shop A.G. Meek is set to shut down one of its longstanding branches this week. The retailer will bid farewell to its Eastgate Street, Gloucester branch on April 12. Owner David Meek said post-Covid struggles and increased employer National Insurance contributions as key reasons for the closure.

With employer National Insurance rates climbing from 13.8% to 15% starting April 6, and the earnings threshold dropping from £9,100 a year to £5,000, financial pressures have intensified. The retail business rates discount has also been slashed from 75% to 40%, further squeezing the business.

A.G.Meek first opened its doors in Gloucester on Westgate Street in 1965, relocating to Eastgate Street in 2021. This closure will leave the chain with just four remaining outlets, all located in Wales.

In a bid to clear stock, the store is offering a closing-down sale with a minimum of 35% off all footwear, featuring brands such as Kickers, Skechers, Hotter, Van Dal and Timberland.

Customers taking advantage of the sale will also receive a £10 gift voucher redeemable on the A.G. Meek website or at any of the surviving stores.

Mr Meek wrote on Facebook: "I am very sad to tell you that we are closing our shoe shop after 60 years trading in Gloucester City Centre.

"We have been struggling with rapidly rising costs and reduced footfall since the pandemic and the shop has not been covering its costs."

"I have held off hoping things would improve, but the recent Budget is a disaster for small businesses employing lots of part time staff like ours.

"Our National Insurance on one shop and our business rates are increasing by £5,000 a year each from April and this is unsustainable.

"Bigger retailers are complaining about the increase but they have the option of putting in more self checkouts and increasing their prices a little.

"Amazon can put a few pence on the price of each product. We have put on a closing down sale today to clear all our stock. We will be closing in early April. We have lots of stock to clear including Fly London Skechers and Rieker.

"Please come in and say goodbye to my wonderful staff and every customer making a purchase will get a £10 gift voucher to use on our website or in our shops in South Wales."