Beloved cookshop and cafe closes after more than 40 years as owner blames ‘unsustainable’ rising costs...

A BELOVED cookshop and cafe has shut its doors after more than 40 years due to "unsustainable" rising costs.

Dinghams Cookshop in Salisbury, Wiltshire, has been at its current premises for the past 20 years and first began serving the city in 1982.

The renowned independent store made the announcement in a post on Facebook, highlighting impossible and "significant" challenges that the business faced.

Dinghams explained: "Rising costs, changes in consumer habits, and external economic pressures have made it increasingly difficult to maintain the level of service and quality you’ve come to expect from us."

The cookshop and cafe added: "Despite our best efforts to adapt and find solutions, the combination of these pressures has made it unsustainable for us to continue operating as an independent business."

Dinghams thanked customers for their continued support of the business and for the "loyalty, warmth, and friendships" it had made from its operations.

The store shut its doors for the final time on February 28, following the "heartbreaking" decision to close forever.

Its statement on Facebook said: "It is with a heavy heart that we share some difficult news with all of you.

After much thought and careful consideration, we have made the heartbreaking decision to close Dinghams.

It continued: "This is not a decision we’ve taken lightly."

The firm blamed a lack of support following the Salisbury Poisonings in 2018, and the disastrous impact of the Covid pandemic, and its associated increase in online shopping, for its untimely demise.

Nicola Hardingham, who runs Dinghams told the BBC: "We tried to keep positive, expand the cafe, we tried new things, we were really fighting, but just nothing seemed to be enough.

"Then we got the cost of living crisis and the rise in all our costs, it's just a losing battle."

Shoppers have paid tribute to the store, including sending flowers and writing poems, cards and letters.

The independent store's statement on Facebook added: "While this is an incredibly sad moment for us, we want to express our deep gratitude to each and every one of you.

"It’s because of your support—whether through shopping with us, enjoying a meal in our café, or simply spreading the word about what we do—that we’ve been able to grow and thrive for as long as we have.

"It has been an unforgettable experience, and we will always be grateful for the support."

Fans of the store were quick to share their sadness at the closure, with many commenting underneath the announcement.

One said: "This is just dreadful, to lose a shop where we can get such a choice on every level."

Another added: "The saddest of news and a damning indictment of the increasingly suffocating environment in which vibrant, independent traders are attempting to survive."

A third said: "I’m absolutely gutted to hear this news.

"Having independent shops with lovely products at reasonable prices is key to a thriving and special city centre, especially one where so many tourists come to visit.

"What a shame."

DECLINE OF INDEPENDENT SHOPS

This comes as it was revealed the UK lost 37 shops every day last year, with 13,500 closing for good in 2024, according to the Centre for Retail Research.

An increase of 28 per cent on 2023, the pace is expected to stay the same for 2025, with an estimated 17,350 shop closures.

However, some 14,660, or 84 per cent, of these are predicted to be independent retailers.

There are many reasons as to why a shop might decide to shut - for example, the owner may simply retire or the lease for the plot might end.

But one of the common themes among many independent retailers is that conditions on the high street are too tough to keep trading.

Since the pandemic, the number of people spending on the high street has declined, with more people switching to online shopping or cheaper brands.