Witney News - Cargo to close during Woolgate re-development

Cargo to close during Woolgate re-development

Homewares and Furniture retailer Cargo has this week commenced consultation with its staff over the closure of their Witney store due to the redevelopment of the Woolgate Centre.

Cargo plan to re-open in mid-2010 in a new, larger store as part of the expansion of the Woolgate Centre.

Oxfordshire-based Cargo has traded from its current site since 1986 and employ 12 people, all of whom they hope to redeploy to other stores during the construction period. The store is likely to close in early-September.

Cargo Managing Director, Clive Gilbert, said “We’re very sad to be leaving Witney, albeit temporarily. We’ve made many friends over the past 23 years and we thank the people of Witney for their generous support and custom over this time. Closing any store for us is disappointing, but as a locally-based company, to be leaving an Oxfordshire market town is particularly tough”.

Gilbert added, “Nevertheless, we have a great relationship with our landlord, are fully supportive of their efforts to improve the Woolgate Centre and are really excited about returning with a bigger and better store next year. In the meantime we hope that our loyal customers use our web-site, which we developed with the help of Witney-based Braywood, and our other local stores.”

None of Cargo’s other 45 stores are affected by this closure and indeed there are seven planned openings over the next six months with two likely to be in Oxfordshire. JW Carpenter, Cargo’s parent company has also opened eight new “Homestyle” stores in the past two months selling Soft Furnishing and Textiles.