Are antique shops a dying trade in Bournemouth?

Antique shops in Bournemouth may soon be a dying commodity, according to some shop owners, because of the threat of closure due to the recession.

Owner of Claire’s Collectables Claire Castle was already suffering from the affect of the internet and is now suffering from the economic climate. She explained that it is a “dying trade” as no one is buying anything. She said: “I am thinking of closing or at least closing for two days as people have lost interest.”

Ms Castle said she has “gone into collectables and china replacements” in order to get a more steady income but she feels that this cannot be a long term solution. Owner of Greneen Ltd Mr Greneen thinks that staying open despite the lack of customers is the right thing to do. Mr Greneen said: “The day you shut might be the day that the best customer comes in.”

Mr Greneen said: “The only thing you can predict about antiques is its unpredictable.” This is something that has become more apparent to him during the economic recession.

Some antique shop owners have found that the attraction of their product, keeps people visiting and buying. Owner of the Old Button Shop Thelma Johns said she has “the only stock of Dorset buttons anywhere in the world.” Mrs Johns feels that the internet has had more of an affect than the economic down turn as are people who are interested in her buttons still continue to buy from her.