Iconic Wycombe shoe shop in liquidation (From Bucks Free Press)
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Iconic Wycombe shoe shop John Hearn in liquidation
12:43pm Wednesday 21st July 2010 in News By Simon Farr
Iconic Wycombe shoe shop put into liquidation
ICONIC High Wycombe shoe shop John Hearn has been placed into liquidation.
Chartered accountants Hillier Hopkins said the store, which has stood in Frogmoor for about 150 years, was placed into liquidation yesterday and will be permanently closed.
Former Mayor of High Wycombe Jim Tanner said he was “deeply saddened” by the news.
He met his wife Sylvia, who went on to become the shop's assistant manager, there in 1956.
He said: “I used to work for what was called Thames Valley Buses and one of the change over points for drivers was outside Hearn.
“In fact, the bus stop outside the shop used to be known as Hearn's Corner and that was where I met my wife.
“She was a shop assistant and I saw her through the shop window.
"One day she got on my bus and it went from there – we've been married for more than 50 years now.
“I'm deeply saddened by the closure. Years ago, that shop used to take hundreds and hundreds on a Saturday. It was a hive of activity.”
The shop in 1895.
Current town mayor Jane White said the shop would leave a void in the town centre.
She said: “It's terrible news and such a shame, but in the current climate you can't be surprised because lots of businesses have gone under.
“But I used to get most of my shoes from there when I was growing up and it has been there for such a long time, it feels like we have lost a part of our history.”
Cllr Alan Hill said he was “shocked” by the closure and blamed the deterioration of Frogmoor and rise of internet shopping for the fold.
He said: “That shop has been there for yonks, it's part of the High Wycombe. My wife said where is she going to go and get her shoes from now?
“It's one of the last remaining family run shops in Wycombe so I'm shocked and saddened by this, and I think the recent decline of Frogmoor and internet shopping has played a huge part.”
The shop in 1971.
Did you work or shop at John Hearn? Leave your memories below or call Simon Farr on 01494 755086.
Comments(34)
Shelley61
says...
1:11pm Wed 21 Jul 10
readerabc
says...
1:19pm Wed 21 Jul 10
very good service in there
and they had a good range for kids
but cant compete with internet, discounts stores and High street rents
SW: cost turn!
678
says...
1:59pm Wed 21 Jul 10
ThePolice
says...
2:08pm Wed 21 Jul 10
That seems to have passed me by
J B Blackett
says...
2:21pm Wed 21 Jul 10
678 wrote:OH NO ! that's all Wycombe will have soon. And more smell , pig-eons. litter , unhealthy eating , unsavouries , dogs tied up outside , greasy , people over-stuffing their faces , chip strewn pavements etc.
I heard its going to be a takeaway
.
Sounds good , let me know the opening date . Thanks
PS Warning - Avoid the lumpy vinegar.
sai-diva
says...
2:55pm Wed 21 Jul 10
He forgot to mention the arrival of eden which has helped suck the life blood out of the rest of the town, couldn't have helped.
Feist the Heist
says...
2:58pm Wed 21 Jul 10
Most of the staff were very helpful, and it is a shame that they have lost their jobs. But really, a shop needs to provide a service that people can use, and if it doesn't there is no way it can survive in this current economic climate!
DeepThinker
says...
4:06pm Wed 21 Jul 10
sai-diva wrote:Exactly!
Cllr Alan Hill said he was “shocked” by the closure and blamed the deterioration of Frogmoor and rise of internet shopping for the fold. He forgot to mention the arrival of eden which has helped suck the life blood out of the rest of the town, couldn't have helped.
Susan Carter
says...
4:10pm Wed 21 Jul 10
little princess
says...
4:23pm Wed 21 Jul 10
iworld
says...
4:41pm Wed 21 Jul 10
demoness
says...
4:44pm Wed 21 Jul 10
However I have to say I did not like the shoes that were in there for adult women so never used them.
The day House of Fraser came to Wycombe, my shoe buying life became just that little sweeter.:)) Oh and Office as well...
sandman73
says...
4:51pm Wed 21 Jul 10
clairabella
says...
5:37pm Wed 21 Jul 10
John Hearn will live on in the history of High Wycombe.
I wish all the team who worked there the very best for the future.
Geoff Gill
says...
7:16pm Wed 21 Jul 10
The Judge
says...
8:04pm Wed 21 Jul 10
I BLAME HIGH TAXES AND RATES DUE TO THE ICE-BANK LOSSES INSTIGATED BY MINDLESS COUNCILLORS WHOEVER THEY WERE IN CHARGE OF THE FUNDS....
WHEN AR THEY GOING TO OWN UP AND ADMIT IT WAS THEM OR MAYBE THEY CAN SUE THE ADVISORS?
EITHER WAY HEADS SHOULD ROLL....
ALL OUR SHOPS ARE GOING ITS A CRYING SHAME ON YOU COUNCILLORS...
JUDGE
The Judge
says...
8:06pm Wed 21 Jul 10
JUDGE
MCarey
says...
9:14pm Wed 21 Jul 10
speaker
says...
9:48pm Wed 21 Jul 10
ivor
says...
1:23am Thu 22 Jul 10
~
What more can I say. I am as shocked as everybody else....
~
Have you read Ivor’s blog today? Click on the “BLOGS” link at the top of the page.
Slidehard
says...
7:23am Thu 22 Jul 10
Feist the Heist
says...
10:39am Thu 22 Jul 10
We like swimiming, but I "think" our feet are normal!
Will have to get them checked now ;-)
cressexpert
says...
11:18am Thu 22 Jul 10
Why don't we knock down all the old shops and build Eden 2?
miccles
says...
11:36am Thu 22 Jul 10
cressexpert wrote:what a load of cobblers lol..
Who is going to foot the bill for taking the sole out of the town centre?
Why don't we knock down all the old shops and build Eden 2?
cressexpert
says...
12:12pm Thu 22 Jul 10
basketcase
says...
12:44pm Thu 22 Jul 10
loudwaterlad
says...
1:47pm Thu 22 Jul 10
Ewartwhatyoubulldoze
says...
4:17pm Thu 22 Jul 10
speaker
says...
6:40pm Thu 22 Jul 10
The Judge
says...
9:33am Fri 23 Jul 10
loudwaterlad wrote:COBBLERS
I understand from plenty of ladies that the owners/staff were quite rude especially if you required a small size (3). No matter how polite you asked them they would snap back an aswer.Apparently they haven't deserved adult customers for the last 30 years
Craig....
says...
12:27pm Fri 23 Jul 10
Everyone I know in Wycombe knows John Hearns.
As said above, it's a sign of the times. People would rather buy mass-produced imported shoes from large retailers which has driven down market prices to the point where independents can't compete.
Another little bit of history dies.....
demoness
says...
2:04pm Fri 23 Jul 10
Craig.... wrote:I would rather buy pretty shoes that are different and comfortable and affordable . H of F 's shoes are all of those - well when the sale is on anyway.
That is a real shame. Everyone I know in Wycombe knows John Hearns. As said above, it's a sign of the times. People would rather buy mass-produced imported shoes from large retailers which has driven down market prices to the point where independents can't compete. Another little bit of history dies.....
Sorry but Hearn's shoes for women were pretty dire IMO.
Esidara
says...
8:28pm Mon 26 Jul 10
After Eden, we lost too much business to buy in the shoes we wanted to
Plus, we could only sell what was brought in and placed on the shelves
erm says...
1:08pm Wed 21 Jul 10