Five Premier Foreways convenience stores in Carlisle are set to close after almost four decades of serving local communities, with owner Billy Bone appointing Armstrong Watson to assist with the company’s liquidation.
The stores, located on Wigton Road, Bedford Road, Blackwell Road, Newlaithes Avenue and Warwick Road, are independently operated under the Premier fascia.
The closures have prompted an outpouring of support from customers, former employees and local residents, many of whom praised Bone and his partner Jenny for their longstanding commitment to staff and the community.
Bone said the decision to enter liquidation had been a difficult one, adding that the business had been the first Premier store in Carlisle.
“We were the first Premier in Carlisle,” he said.
Armstrong Watson confirmed it had been instructed by the company’s directors to assist with placing the business into liquidation, although neither the firm nor Bone was able to provide further details on the next steps.
The closures mark the end of a retail operation that has been part of Carlisle’s convenience landscape for almost 40 years. Premier is one of the UK’s largest convenience symbol groups, with more than 5,000 independently owned stores across the country.
Under the model, retailers operate their own businesses while benefiting from Premier’s branding, supply chain and product ranges.