End of an era as Winners shuts up shop (From The Oxford Times)

End of an era as Winners shuts up shop

1:00pm Thursday 3rd May 2012 in Bicester

A POPULAR discount store is closing its doors after decades in Bicester.

Winners, off Victoria Road, will shut at the end of June after 35 years in the town.

Up to 19 full and part-time jobs will be lost as the site is in the process of being sold for redevelopment.

Owner Alan Willoughby, 63, said he had tried to find a similar set-up – which includes a private customer car park – elsewhere in Bicester, but could not find a suitable site within his price range.

He said: “I don’t know what I’m going to do. I am looking at other businesses, but the rent is too big – it’s not good.

“I have been trying to find something similar to our current site, but this is fairly unique.

“If you look anywhere in Oxfordshire, looking at the rents in the high street, it’s no wonder it’s all charity shops or giveaways, and only the big boys can actually afford to be there.”