Iconic Doncaster town centre shop closes after 75 year presence

Lockwoods Florists on Silver Street has shut its doors and has no plans to re-open it at present. But the business will continue to trade from its premises at The Green in Thorne town centre and will also deliver across Doncaster.

They will look at the Silver Street shop again next year.

It is the first time Lockwoods have not had a town centre base since they first opened in 1944, other than during the enforced lockdown.

Joint owner Fiona Andrews said they had re-opened the shop after the first lockdown – but decided against doing so after the latest one because so few people had been coming into the shop.

She said: “The problem is that people can’t get their cars down the street any more where we are.

"We feel like that has been working against us.

"That was always our flagship store and we’ve been there pretty much since time began. We are still doing the same thing, but at the Thorne shop, and without the same overheads.

"We’d actually redecorated it during the lockdown, but if cars can’t drive up and down the street people can’t come in and collect orders. People don’t want to have to find a parking space and carry bulky displays.

"People are happy to come to Thorne or have orders dropped off, and we deliver all over. It is easier to park and pick up there.

"We’ve half-wondered about doing pop—ups in Doncaster for Valentines Day and Christmas, but we’re so busy at Thorne at present, because the phone lines are taking calls there.

"We’re not sure what to do with Silver Street. Unless there’s a massive turn around I can’t see us opening it back up.

"We will see what we think in the new year.”

She said Silver Street had been shut for a period of time previously while the council made changes to the road to fit new lights.

Fiona is the fourth generation of her family to run the firm, which was originally set up by her great grandfather Thomas Lockwood, along with sister Tara Taylor and mum Jean Silvester.

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