Just two weeks into the new year ten businesses have announced their closures.
Some big business chains, such as Cineworld, Slug & Lettuce and Brewdog, have announced closures of some Yorkshire city stores.
But also, some smaller and independent businesses, such as Two Brothers Grill and Pizzeria, The Shed Bar and The Old Red Bus Station, have announced their closures, with many citing financial issues.
The Staveley Arms had reopened in October 2023 following a seven-month period of closure, but in the last week has announced its closure as they said they were facing “major business impacts” from the Budget.
In a statement they wrote: “With further major business impacts imminent from the recent Budget in the form of increased employment costs and national insurance, before even allowing for the inevitable price rises on supplies as all businesses try to combat these factors, we have concluded it is not possible to make the business sustainably viable and have made the very difficult decision to not continue.”
9. Thieves Market
Thieves Market on Carlton Street in Castleford served up a range of Asian-inspired street food using locally sourced ingredients alongside craft beers. The popular pink facade of the fusion restaurant will be no more. Thieves Market posted on Facebook: “Unfortunately Thieves Market will not reopen its doors in 2025. With the help of friends, family, and customers alike we created a monster. We have had two fantastic years, serving some of the best snap the five towns have ever seen. However, rising costs have our hands and it is impossible to continue.” Photo: Yorkshire Evening Post
10. Spanton.jpg
Spanton's of Whitby opened in 1883 as a gentleman's outfitters on Flowergate, and was run by founder Robert Spanton's family until 1974. Now it has closed after 142 years in business. Current owner Karen Noble, who bought the business in 2019 and retained the historic name, announced its closure at the end of December due to her retirement. Ms Noble wrote: "It is the end of an era. It was sad to empty the shop out today, it's probably the only time it's been empty since 1883." Photo: Google