Now it’s goodbye to Woods.

Richard Wyatt,

Another well-known business on Bath’s ‘High Street’  is about to disappear.

It’s now goodbye to Woods the Stationers in Old Bond Street who – as it says on the shop windows – has been ‘Serving Bath for over 200 years.’

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It’s my understanding that the original ‘Mr Wood’ started as a printer – and even published a local newspaper – before settling down to trade as a stationer.

I am told – with the lease up for renewal – the owner has now decided to cease trading.

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A mixture of costs, on-line shopping and Brexit uncertainty is being blamed for the closure.

I have approached the landlord for comment.

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I also understand the shop would like to put in some sort of ‘farewell and thank you’ display for its loyal customers in its windows and is interested in any old photos or memorabilia – associated with the shop – that people might have to share.

 

Published by Richard Wyatt

Freelance Journalist, broadcaster, columnist and local historian. Director of Bath Newseum. Married and lives in Bath. Interested in local history, architecture and visual display in museums and urban spaces.

6 Comments

  1. That is a real loss. It always had a good choice of office materials and you could get them right away, served by knowledgeable staff. And the shop itself had character.

  3. Oh this is sad news! Woods has been a stalwart shop for us for many years. Hanging an exhibition? You’ll need hopeful little red dot stickers from Woods! Making things for an Artisan Stall? You’ll need a variety of plain tags from Woods! Want to start using that old Mont Blanc pen your uncle gave you years ago? Woods will have all the ink and nib fixings you need.
    Not to mention the expertise. Shopping there is/was a delight, an experience. I feel diminished by its intended departure.

  4. Perhaps you might take a look at Margaret’s Buildings? There are currently 5 empty premises there, although one will soon be filled with a charity shop. We wondered whether the high turnover is because businesses are speculatively taking on short end-of-lease rental (one empty shop was caused by its occupants moving back to the centre of town) or is it the usual more general problem?

  5. For more years than I can remember, a July telephone call has alerted me that my day to a page pocket diary is ready for collection, my order recorded by hand in ink on a card index, just such as I used when a junior local government officer in 1959, then susequently for our own card collectors, who have never been put onto computer.
    I must visit their excellent fountain pen section again before it is too late.
    Farewell Woods, a great loss indeed.
    Ginny Barnfield

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