A Dulwich-based children’s shoe shop is closing down and owners say difficulties they faced due to LTN restrictions and Brexit have made the decision to shut “a great deal easier.”
Biff – a popular kids’ shoe shop in Dulwich Village – is closing down after owners surrender to the “increasingly hostile trading environment” made worse by various new restrictions.
Julie Lowe, who lives in Dulwich, is one of the owners of Biff. She recently announced she has made the decision to retire and close the business.
“After 30 years happy and successful trading I am sad to announce that I am closing Biff at the end of February next year.
“With my lease up for renewal I have decided to retire and, very sadly, close the business,” she explained.
Biff opened just over thirty years ago, as a joint family business with Julie and her mum.
“This decision is mainly around my family and retirement plans but made easier by the impact of the difficult trading environment, online and the LTN’s in Dulwich Village.”
She said Brexit imposed “added costs and complications” to their supply chains. “This has been very unhelpful as we find ourselves increasingly competing with the online world.
“Each time we fit a shoe in blue but red is preferred, for example, you can order it more easily than we can. These lost sales really add up and threaten the level of service and choice upon which we have built our reputation.”
She said LTN restrictions hit after-school trade ‘dramatically.’
“During this incredibly tricky time, Southwark introduced their controversial road closures.
Dulwich Village LTN: Council puts forward plans to close off Turney Road to traffic
“The LTN time restrictions hit our after school trade dramatically, causing more lost sales,” she added.
Finally she nodded to the cost of living crisis – “It’s made it increasingly tough on the High Street for businesses both big and small.”
Julie thanked the Dulwich Estate for their help and support over the years, as well as nearby traders “for helping to create our business community.”
They are having a “Farewell Sale” starting January 7 – with discounts of at least 50% off all shoes and clothes, “many pairs of shoes will be just 10 pounds.”
Julie said that the goodbye is “hard”, adding, “Many of our customers have been with us from first shoes to big shoes, and it has been a joy to watch your children grow.”
Biff’s opening hours for the remaining festive period are as follows.
Open 10am-5pm on Dec 28, 29, 30, 31
Jan 1 – Closed
Jan 2 – Closed
Normal Hours from Jan 3 (9:30am-5pm)
Biff, 41 Dulwich Village, SE21 7BN