Last independent shop in city high street shuts down after 140 years

A family-run tobacconist that survived the Blitz and Credit Crunch to become the last independent retailer in a city centre high street is closing down after 140 years.

McGahey tobacconist will disappear from Exeter in Devon by the end of the year and the owner blames the rise of online shopping, high rents and high taxes. 

Martin McGahey, who took over the running of the business from his father Michael in 1992, said: ‘Retail conditions on the high street are extremely tough. The internet, rent and business rates are all a factor.’ 

Martin McGahey, who took over the running of the business from his father Michael in 1992, said: ‘Retail conditions on the high street are extremely tough’

He also blamed poor public transport, expensive parking and Exeter’s new rules on litter which see offenders fined £100.

‘If I came to visit from South Molton for the day and was fined £100 for accidentally dropping some litter I don’t think I would ever visit Exeter again,’ he said.

‘Everything has been against retail and the city council aren’t helping.

‘Nobody listens to us traders – I’m not a troublemaker but nobody will talk to me. It’s very frustrating.’  

The rise of online shopping combined with an influx of new out-of-town retail parks has made staying open on high streets in Exeter a continuing battle.

More than ten independent shops have closed down in the city centre in the past year alone alongside dozens more chains.

A number of independent shops in Exeter city centre have closed down in the past year alone

A number of independent shops in Exeter city centre have closed down in the past year alone

In response, Exeter City Council said that it works ‘tirelessly’ to support businesses in the city and defended its parking prices and litter policy. 

Established in 1880, the tobacconist survived the Exeter Blitz of 1942.

Edgar McGahey saw the business through the war years, including a relocation to a garden shed at the bottom of his garden in Barnfield Road after the High Street shop was hit by the blitz.

This family-run tobacconist that survived the Blitz and Credit Crunch to become the last independent retailer in a city centre high street is closing down after 140 years

This family-run tobacconist that survived the Blitz and Credit Crunch to become the last independent retailer in a city centre high street is closing down after 140 years

The business returned to High Street on almost the same site as the former shop in 1955, the year that Edgar died.

Michael, who had been in business since 1942, then took over the helm.

After retiring in 1992, Martin took on the day-to-day running of McGahey’s from his father.

McGahey’s Coffee Shop opened next door to the tobacconist in 2007 but Martin said that it is now likely to also close.

Mr Maghey said that the internet, rent and business rates are all a factor in shop closures

Mr Maghey said that the internet, rent and business rates are all a factor in shop closures

 The business will continue online and will be run from Topsham where the McGahey family also own popular cycling café Route 2.

‘McGahey will be continuing just in a more modern element,’ added Martin. ‘It will be a new chapter for us.’

An Exeter City Council spokesman said: ‘We are sorry when any business closes down, especially one that has been in the city centre for so long.

‘Footfall in Exeter remains strong and that is reflected in the city centre being ranked in the UK’s top 20.

McGahey tobacconist will disappear from Exeter in Devon by the end of the year and the owner blames the rise of online shopping, high rents and high taxes

McGahey tobacconist will disappear from Exeter in Devon by the end of the year and the owner blames the rise of online shopping, high rents and high taxes

‘However, we cannot determine how an individual business does and times change and so do people’s buying habits.

‘There is no doubt that there has been a downturn in the tobacco industry over recent years and for this reason it would be unfair to blame the closure on factors such as the cost of parking.

The long-standing tobacconist survived the Exeter Blitz of 1942 and has only now had to close it's doors

The long-standing tobacconist survived the Exeter Blitz of 1942 and has only now had to close it’s doors

 ‘In Exeter, parking tariffs compare favourably with cities of similar size and the council also has the difficult task of balancing parking revenue, which is essential in keeping council tax bills down, and encouraging people into the city centre by using other methods of transport and ensuring that the air quality is improved.

‘The city council and the Business Improvement District work tirelessly to support and nurture all businesses in the city centre, including small independent traders like McGahey

‘Littering is of particular concern to residents in the city and that is why we have introduced enforcement officers into the city centre. Ensuring that the city is kept clean and free from litter would surely encourage people to come into this beautiful city and not act as a deterrent.’

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