High street 'champion' to close her shop for good
BBCA gift shop owner says her business is no longer viable and has been forced to close as rising overhead costs and lower footfall continue to take their toll.
Jo Williams has owned Joco Gifts in Nuneaton for 10 years, however the closure of a nearby car park and increases to National Insurance and minimum wage have led her to an "incredibly difficult decision".
She said the decision had been "taken out her her hands" and her accountant had informed her she had "done everything you can".
"I would love to keep Joco on the high street for forever, but that's just not going to happen," Ms Williams added.
The Treasury has said national insurance rises will generate billions of pounds to be spent on public services, including the NHS, adding the government is "pro-business" and knows the "vital importance of small businesses to our economy".
The government said previously the minimum wage boost was a step closer to delivering a "genuine living wage" for millions of people.
Ms Williams said her shop's footfall was "slashed in half" when the Abbeygate car park closed as part of redevelopment work and had "continued to dip" ever since.
A spokesperson for Nuneaton and Bedworth Council said: "Footfall is declining in high streets across the UK, not just in Nuneaton.
"The impact of online shopping combined with the closure of key household national retail brands and increased costs have had a significant impact."
They added there were "several alternative car parks" in the town centre that could be used during the development work.
'Champion of the high street'
Ms Williams said she had to look at the situation from a "non-emotional" point of view.
She added she had been "a champion" of the high street and had always supported other businesses in the town centre.
"All the way back to the Covid days when we were forced to close I was helping them getting the grants they needed to survive.
"We have battled so hard to stay on the high street."
Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.