Fletchers Fabrics, of Acomb, finds new home in Clifton Moor (From York Press)

Fletchers Fabrics, of Acomb, finds new home in Clifton Moor

3:20pm Tuesday 7th September 2010 in

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ONE of the oldest family businesses in Acomb has moved out of the town, largely because of the steep rental values.

Fletchers Fabrics, which was in Front Street, Acomb for 37 years, has now relocated to premises three times the size on the outskirts of York in Auster Road, Clifton Moor.

Tony Fletcher and his wife, Trish, decided to leave Acomb because of the increasing rents and the “lowering tone” of the town’s retailing offering.

Tony said: “The lease had come to an end and we weren’t prepared to continue paying more than £30,000 a year in rent and rates.

“We would have been paying probably not much more in the centre of York and it was putting huge pressure on our business particularly in these tough times for retailers.

“It seemed so unfair Acomb has gone down in viability when it comes to its retailers.. There are so many charity shops in the town who don’t pay any rates and the rest of the traders are in effect subsidising them. “A lot of the traders there have shut up shop for that reason.”

The new shop is widening its range of dress fabrics, furnishing fabrics and its speciality – bridal fabrics, boasting the largest selection in the North of England.

Tony said: “We have all sorts of plans for the new premises, including starting monthly daytime patchwork classes at the store, starting with a £20 two-hour introductory course on Saturday September 18. We also plan a dressmaking course. The tutors will be two of our best seamstresses.

“After the introductory course, the monthly sessions will last four hours and cost £30.

“Already there has been huge demand for the patchwork class so if you want to take part, either call in or phone 01904 692984.”

Tony is the second generation to run Fletchers Fabrics which began with his father, Herbert who had a stall on Bradford market. It later opened stalls throughout York and North Yorkshire before permanently settling in Acomb in 1973.