Former Shop Manager Thanks Customers After Sudden Closure

The former manager of the Clarks shoe shop in Market Harborough has expressed her gratitude to customers after the shop closed without warning earlier this week.

Julie Hardy, who had managed the store in St Mary’s Place for the past ten years, was one of 13 employees to lose their jobs when the company operating the store as a franchise ceased trading suddenly.

She says the closure on Tuesday came as a shock to staff, but they have been overwhelmed by the kind words and encouragement received from the local community.

Julie Hardy during her time as shop manager

Julie is continuing to support her former colleagues despite no longer being employed by Radley Footwear Ltd and has praised people for their messages of support.

She said: “One of the delights of working in a town like Market Harborough is that you become a real part of the community and as well as serving local families, the team and your colleagues become an extension of your own family too.

“Having had very limited communication from our Franchisees, Radley Footwear Ltd, we are maintaining very supportive communication with each other at this difficult time, not only just with those team members from our store, but also with the remaining 45 employees across the other 6 stores affected by the closures too. I am committed to supporting my team, despite no longer holding the ‘Store Manager’ title.

“On behalf of our St Mary’s Place team, I’d like to thank the wonderfully supportive customers who have showered us with kind words and messages of support since we closed with immediate effect on Tuesday 9th September.

“It really means a lot to us all, as many have become friends over the years.

“We hope that no matter what, the lovely community of Market Harborough will continue to shop in store rather online and do their best to support their local High Street as without it, we sadly won’t be the only ones leaving.

“Thank you, from #Team2390 otherwise known as ‘The Well Known Shoe Shop in St Mary’s Place’ ”

Long-Standing Shoe Shop Closes Suddenly