It was the end of an era in Westbury-on-Trym when the independent store Mogfords shut up shop for the final time.
The owners announced in June that they would be closing because of the demands of increasing costs, declining customer numbers and repairs needed to the High Street premises.
The final day on September 30 saw the shop packed with customers, keeping Paul and Barbara Gillam and staff busy until the very end, serving people with their usual dedication and attention and with no problem too big or small to solve.
Customers continued to be full of praise for the service, friendliness and knowledge of the staff, while mourning the demise of yet another business in the village. Comments posted online were all of a theme: how much Paul and the team would be missed, but wishing them all well for the future.
Many people went along in person to say farewell, among them Hilary Long, who wrote the article below for the Voice, and husband Bill.Those in the shop at the close of play toasted Paul and his staff with bubbly in Union-Jack themed paper cups – a fitting tribute to a truly British-style of institution.
Mogfords finally closes the doors
A group of us gathered at the historic Ironmongers in Westbury on Trym – W.H.Mogford and Son, on Tuesday, September 30 – the last day of trading for this business, after over 150 years of serving local people in Westbury and its surrounding districts.
We were there to thank Paul and Barbara Gillam for thirty years of dedicated advice, help and service to our community – “The only place in Bristol where you could still buy a few nails instead of a boxful, or one screw for a loft ladder! ” – one local man remarked.
Paul took over from the last member of the Mogford family, John Wiltshire, as the new proprietor, thirty years ago and adapted the business to modern needs, from what had been founded originally as a hardware shop for local farmers and their wives in the Victorian era.
‘Paul and Barbara have always given very generous support to the village with donations for our Annual Flower displays and hanging baskets, and Village Show and been happy to display posters and community information for everyone’ said Hilary Long, former Chairman of the Westbury Society. ‘ ‘They knew so many of their customers by name – just as it was in the old days and always hailed them with a friendly greeting. Nothing was too much trouble for customers and Paul kept up the Mogford tradition of “if we haven’t got one in stock, we’ll get it for you!”
High Streets everywhere are losing their traditional shops and customs, until maybe a new generation discovers the value of small businesses with the personal touch and the vitality they bring to daily life in every locality!
There, every day at the heart of our village, looking out over the War Memorial, as its guardian since 1920, has stood W. H. Mogford and Son .
“We really can’t imagine Westbury without ‘Moggies’, but we have had to say Goodbye! So, on behalf of all of Westbury we wish Paul and Barbara every success in their future and a good time in whatever becomes their new life and interest.”
Hilary Long/Bill Long (Westbury residents for over 50 years!)