One business closes and another will follow in Midhurst
It is the end of an era in Midhurst's North Street with news that Parkland Cars has closed this week.
And across the road Midhurst Travel, owned by Sue Harding for 14 years, is also to close at the end of the year.
"I am retiring," said Sue, "but my decision has been based on the fact the internet has made it difficult for me and the situation in Midhurst – it isn't the town it used to be."
Parkland Cars, which opened as a car showroom on the corner of Lamberts Lane and North Street in l959, has been owned since 2001 by Peter Locke, his wife Chris and their daughter and son-in-law Sue and Martin Lentz.
But this week Peter and Chris announced they had decided to retire. Their son-in-law Martin is to set up his own dent repair business based from the couple's home in Ropley.
"It has been a very hard decision to make," said Peter. "We have had some very good and loyal customers in Midhurst and made some very good friends, but we decided the time had come to retire.
"Although we don't live here we have tried to get involved in the community and help out where we can," said Peter and Chris, who live in Froxfield.
For several years they have hosted a Christmas party in their showroom on the evening of Midhurst's festive street party. They have also been a base for the Rotary Club Christmas carols in the town.
In addition, they give space to local amateur dramatic groups, the Midhurst Players and Graffham Rustics, to promote their shows.
The Royal British Legion set up shop there every year selling poppies and for some years the showroom was given over to the town's Children In Need group for its annual fundraising.
Midhurst flower arrangers have also organised displays and Sue and her mother have participated in Midhurst Town Council's annual window display competition.
Sue Harding has been in the travel industry all her working life. She came to Midhurst in 1973 and worked with Arun Travel until she opened her own Midhurst Travel in North Street in l995 in what was a small charity shop.
"I have some regular, very local customers," she said. "If Midhurst had not changed so much, I would have carried on, but now I just don't think it's worth it.
"I think the town needs revitalising in some way – if they bring in car parking charges, that will be the end."
Sue will be shutting up shop for the last time on December 31.
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Weather for Midhurst
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 14 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
