End of an era for Batley Shopping Centre

Manager Karen Lawson outside Candyman, which will close in March.

The last remaining shop will close on March 29, following the retirement of owner Dennis Fisher.

The newsagent’s, which has been trading for 33 years, was the first shop to open in Alfred’s Way. Mr Fisher’s daughter, Karen Lawson, said: “It is really sad to be announcing we are closing but it is an inevitable part of life.

“My dad is 82 now and launched the business in his early 40s, but he is getting slower as he gets older.

“It is better to end when we are in control of the decision, rather than something happening to dad and the shop just having to close.”

At one time, Mr Fisher had six shops across the district, including two in Dewsbury.

After Candyman opened in 1981, the shopping centre also became home to a Halifax Building Society, a travel agent’s, a fruit and vegetable shop and a cafe. But for the last decade, Candyman has been the only shop to remain open in the premises. Mrs Lawson claimed that Batley Shopping Centre had become a white elephant in the town. She said: “It has been sad to see all the shops close one by one over the years.

“I am sure someone could have thought of something to do with the shopping centre, even if it was community based.

“Some bright spark who is paid to think of these sort  of things could have tried  to do something at least.”

Batley Business Association chairman Andrew Marsden echoed Mrs Lawson’s concerns and said he hoped the space could be put to good use. He said: “We have long been keen to meet with Tesco which owns the site to try and do something.

“Whether it be pop up shops or something community based, we would like to try and get it to bring people into Batley again.”

Mr Marsden also expressed his sadness over the closure of Candyman. He said: “It has been there forever. I have been in Batley for over 20 years and it must be one of the longest serving stores in the town. It will be a big loss to Batley.”

A message informing customers about the closure was put in the window of Candyman this week.

It read: “We would  like to thank all our customers, old and new over the last 33 years.

“Due to the retirement of Mr Fisher at the age of 82,  The Candyman will be closing on March 29.”