Hoopers to close Carlisle department store

Last updated at 12:25, Tuesday, 08 May 2012

One of Carlisle’s most iconic city centre department stores, Hoopers, is to close after it failed to turn around losses running into six figures.

Have your say

Well said Gary Dewhurst in an earlier post. Carlisle quite simply needs to grow to a level that will sustain multiple types of retail; from basic bargain basement to more upscale. For this to happen, the city's administrators need to go out into the wider world and grab some of the business and investment capital that is available. They MUST look much farther afield than the UK or even Europe. Sadly though, history has shown Carlisle to be behind the curve in so many respects; the result and product of that 'insular' mentality Mr. Dewhurst mentioned. One hopes that the 'new' council can do something to reinvigorate the 'economic development portfolio' which even our conservative MP has stated needed to be looked at again. Here's hoping that the Carlisle council chamber contains a few driving seats not just swings and roundabouts for the councillors to sit on.

Posted by BM on 8 May 2012 at 18:53

its a real shame another 83 people to find work it was a upmarket shop something with a bit of class. if their is a brightside to this what a opportunity for JOHN LEWIS to move in

Posted by mike on 8 May 2012 at 18:38

I wonder about the link to the unnecessary and expensive Castle Street development and those coffin benches with the graffiti on?

Posted by VJ on 8 May 2012 at 18:28

It is a shame Hoopers is closing down, Carlisle shopping is unfortunately like some of the residents, the town centre is changing into a 'Clone' shopping experience which makes the people all 'Clones' of each other. Hooper was a expensive shop and given the hard times we are all suffering I am not surprised. But it will be greatly missed.

Posted by Anon on 8 May 2012 at 17:46

I'm surprised it stayed open so long.

Too expensive by a long way. Very few locals can afford to shop there.

Ironically they only started opening on Sundays again this week!

Posted by Iain on 8 May 2012 at 17:43

How about Ground Floor Bookmakers.
1st floor Cash for Gold.
2nd floor Pay day loan store.

Posted by Danish on 8 May 2012 at 17:41

So sad for all the lovely staff who are always so friendly and helpful, will miss you all x

Posted by J Varah on 8 May 2012 at 17:37

I was surprised when Hoopers bought out Bulloughs. I don't think there is enough demand for this type of store in the Carlisle area.

The demand is for cheap, cheerful and convenient access. The latter, for Hoopers, was always going to be a problem. Most pople I know who go for the type of goods in Hoopers prefer to travel over to Newcastle.

Posted by M Dunne on 8 May 2012 at 17:36

@OCR. I feel sorry that a large retailer has not attained sufficient trade to remain trading in Carlisle. It is a large store and may prove difficult to fill. There is no one answer to this problem,it is a sign of the financial times we as a country are facing. It is true however that rents and rates are extortionately high and if a large retailer cant sustain it, how can a smaller retailer ever hope to be successful.
But i find the comments of OCR quite distasteful. As a frequent visitor to Tullie House, most recently in the school holidays and a more infrequent visitor to the cathedral, I take offence at the inference that I somehow must be of a particular 'type' or dare i say 'class' than those who may shop in Primark. I do not have the funds to be able to 'support' shops like Hoopers and Chapmans, and have been known to shop in Primark, shock, horror! I visit Tullie House as I find it a cheap and interesting day out for my children, because again I dont have the funds to travel further afield.
Each town/city needs a mixture of small and large, cheap and expensive to appeal to a broad demographic, but trying to say only people who can afford to pay Hoopers prices wont visit our attractions is ridiculous, verging on slanderous. ok Maybe a little over then top :)

Posted by Debs on 8 May 2012 at 17:17

Regarding the availability of one and two hour free parking, yes it is there and is no doubt useful to many people and we are lucky to have it close to the city centre. However, if you have read the posts about a shopper being charged for overstaying the time limit of two hours at Dunelm, how much shopping can realistically be done in the free time available after walking to and from the shops and potentially waited to be served etc? It is OK if you know exactly what you are going to buy but not if needing to take time to select/ compare things.
I think we must realise that Carlisle is not the only city/town with the problems of closing shops. It has been commented on before that part of the problem is on line shopping, as well as out of town shops making life so much easier and leaving more time for other pursuits.We may have to accept other uses for the now redundant shops, sad but true. Any sensible suggestions?

Posted by V on 8 May 2012 at 16:36