Internet has killed off business, says boss of closing Brinsworth hardware store

A HARDWARE store boss who is shutting up shop after 14 years said the Internet and big DIY chains had killed off his business.
Keith and Carol Foster. 170682-2Keith and Carol Foster. 170682-2
Keith and Carol Foster. 170682-2

Keith Foster (61) will stop serving customers on Saturday at The Handyman Centre, which he runs in Brinsworth with partner Carol Parsons.

A DIY shop first opened on the premises in 1961 when it was known as Lawrence Bros, and even now customers can buy nails by weight, mothballs and even screws in their ones and twos.

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But the fed-up trader admitted a combination of falling footfall and the rivalry of big-name brands had led him to reluctantly call it a day this weekend at the Brinsworth Lane shop.

“It’s the Internet, with people preferring to buy online, and the likes of Screwfix and Toolstation that have made it impossible,” said Keith, who lived in Brinsworth for 30 years but now commutes from Mansfield.

“The rent, overheads and council tax are phenomnal and people’s shopping habits have changed.

“People have said they will be sorry to see us go and it was a hard decision but we’ve just not been making enough money.”

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