One of the saddest ceremonies in Chelmsford's commercial history took place on Saturday when the family-run Bolingbroke and Wenley department store closed for the last time -- the final countdown on 150 years of tradition.
Company chairman Richard Wenley said that the final moments were very sad for customers, staff and management alike.
The High Street site has been sold to a division of the retail giant Kingfisher for an 18-month commercial redevelopment.
Bolingbroke and Wenley continues to trade in the county town at its modern furnishing store at Cuton Mill, Springfield.
The last moments of the department store, which employed more than 200 people, was recorded by local and national media.
The last 11 weeks had been counted away with a sales campaign based on a diminishing hourglass.
Mr Wenley said: "It is the end of an era for the town centre, but it heralds a new beginning with the redevelopment of the site expressing confidence that retailers have in Chelmsford.
"I would like to thank personally all our customers for their magnificent support over the past few months and for the hundreds of letters that I have received, the majority accepting what has been done and expressing sympathy and sadness at the inevitable decision.
"I am delighted to report that we have been tremendously successful in mitigating the job losses which could have arisen.
"Our store director, Gitte Ferriby, has worked tremendously hard with the staff, and more than 90 per cent who want a job have found new employment in the area.
"Finally, it should not be forgotten that the name of Bolingbroke and Wenley will continue in the Chelmsford area through the furnishing store.
"A very sincere thank you to everyone who has been associated with the High Street store, particularly our loyal staff and customers. Saturday was indeed a very sad day."
Sad exit: The hourglass, displayed by staff members Wendy Jolly and Tom Morley, is full.
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