Folkestone Angling shop on its last day Photo: Ray Duff –
By Ray Duff: Saturday saw the sad demise of the last small shop in Folkestone to serve the local angling community as it closed its doors for the last time.
People came to visit and buy last minute supplies at the discounted rate, but also to say how sorry they were about the closure.
Owner, Peter Owen, said that whilst the summer trade was reasonable, he had lost a fair amount to internet sales over the years and that the winter period had become increasingly difficult to stay open.
Victim of energy costs
Now with the added problems of rising costs of energy and obtaining supplies, he felt it was time to close up completely.
The store at 12 Tontine Street was originally built in the late 19th century, and indeed there is what appears to be an original wooden stairway still within the building from the back of the shop.
The business traded as a tailors in part of the first half of the 20th Century but in about 1938 it became an angling equipment shop and cutlers under the name Milton and Smith for many years, and then several other owners until today.
The local angling community are very sad to see the long standing venue close and the only remaining shops where such supplies can be obtained are in Hythe or Dover.
It is also likely that due to the worsening cost of living crisis, this may not be the only small business which has to close!