ONE of York city centre's last electrical goods shops - House & Son in Blake Street - is to close with the loss of up to 18 jobs.

Director William House says a wide range of electrical goods has been sold or rented from the store for 80 years, supported by a respected service department, but a series of problems had now led to a decision to cease trading.

"Unfortunately, deflationary pressures in this area of the market, as well as growing competition from edge-of-town stores, have mitigated against electrical retailers in the high street," he said.

High parking charges in the city centre were also a factor, when people could park for free at out-of-town shopping centres.

Other factors included the growing use of the Internet to buy electrical goods and increasing sales of such items by supermarkets.

He said there were now very few shops left in the city centre which sold electrical goods. Several electrical retailers which have closed in York over the years include Castle Electrics, Radio Rentals and Rumbelows.

Mr House said such shops operated on fixed margins, and with electrical goods such as a video recorder, which once cost £350 now selling for only £75, profits were less unless volumes rose.

"The company has an extensive stock of electrical goods and equipment, including lighting, and a closing down sale is now under way," he said.

He said the shop would probably shut in the autumn, although the precise date of closure would depend upon the progress of the sale. Mr House said: "Closure will probably result in 16 to 18 redundancies."

Mr House stressed that the company's electrical contracting business would continue to operate from its premises in Ogleforth.

He said the shop had been based in Blake Street since 1924, having moved there from its previous base in Stonegate.

Mr House thanked customers for the support of the shop over many years. He also said he wanted particularly to thank staff for their loyal service.

Updated: 08:30 Tuesday, July 13, 2004