Sales decline forces shoe shop closure at landmark Dudley site
A landmark shoe shop that has been part of a Black Country high street for more than 20 years is set to close due to a ‘decline in sales’.
The building, which houses the United Footwear shop, in Dudley, underwent a restoration project in 2013 to see its frontage restored to its Art Deco former glory.
It is not certain yet whether the half-a-dozen staff employed at the store will be given roles at other branches under the Blunt Shoes group.
A closing date is set to be announced imminently on their Facebook page.
Bob Blunt, who is from the third generation of the Blunt family involved the business, said: “The site has got quite a history and has become a famous building in the town centre.
“Unfortunately the closure is due to a decline in sales.
“We have no set plans in place at the moment in regards to staff or closure, so will see what happens.”
United Footwear sell a vast range of branded shoes and household goods.
The closure was announced on their Facebook page in recent weeks alongside signs outside the building. It has been based in the town since 1993.
Shoppers took to social media to express their sadness at the closure.
The Dudley Regeneration Group said: “Sad to hear about United Footwear closing down, they are selling everything off apparently.
“The top end of the town is in crisis.”
Guy Holness added: “I think Dudley has potential.
“New things are happening in and around the town, the visionaries just need to be heard and supported.”
The closure comes after a Blunts shoe shop in Bearwood also closed earlier this year.
But its other outlets in Stourbridge, Kidderminster, Bridgnorth, Penn and Willenhall are not at risk of closure, and are all performing well.
The United Footwear building was home to the famous Co-Operative department store until the 1980s.
The £600,000 restoration scheme in 2013 was carried out through Dudley Council’s Townscape Heritage Initiative, which saw a number of prominent buildings in the borough revamped.
It dates back to 1939 and was originally designed by Dudley-based architects, Webb and Gray, and was built by Dudley contractor, Mark Round and Sons.
