Beales to close last UK store after 144 years

Beales, one of the UK's oldest department store chains, is set to close its last remaining store in Poole's Dolphin Centre at the end of May, ending its 144-year presence in the retail landscape. The company, which first opened in Bournemouth in 1881, went into administration in 2020 and has since struggled with rising costs, particularly due to recent tax increases and minimum wage hikes announced in the Labour government's October Budget. Chief executive Tony Brown cited these financial strains as making the business 'unviable,' leading to the decision to cease trading. The British Independent Retailers Association expressed deep sadness over the closure, emphasizing that it marks the end of a significant retail institution that has served communities for generations. Industry experts warn that this closure could signal a worrying trend for other retailers facing similar economic pressures. Beales' history has been documented through a photographic archive preserved at the Dorset History Centre, capturing its legacy in British retail.