“This needs to be a Warwick shop

Charlie Collett at Wylies, the old ironmongers shop where shelving remains the same as the 1895, although he has began some made to order blacksmithing on his grandfather's old forge.

Some 18 months ago Charlie Collett was overwhelmed with support when instead of taking redundancy he took out a substantial bank loan and sank all his savings into preserving the former Period House shop in Market Place.

Mr Collett reverted to the Grade II shop’s original family name, Wylies, and has deliberately kept the timewarp feel of the business which resembles a Victorian film set.

But despite an initial rush of support, customers continue to be more cautious with their money which means rents, high business rates and road closures have all eaten into any potential profits.

Mr Collett, aged 47, said: “I am preserving a piece of the town’s heritage but this place shouldn’t be a museum - it should be a shop.

“We have a brilliant website and I’ve just been told about a grant which might help with the rates - but cash flow has become a major headache.

“I’ve expanded into light fittings, paint and wallpaper and last year restored my grandfather’s old forge so I am able to do bit of blacksmithing myself at home.

“This means I can bring my costs down by making curtain poles, fireside sets and hanging basket brackets that will last a lifetime.

“Sadly I don’t have a lifetime to turn this business around. I’m not too proud to ask for help and some people have suggested forming a Friends of Wylies club.

“I do know I have some good and loyal supporters - the same ones who offered their help when the shop faced closure nearly two years ago. Then we made stories in some of the national newspapers and I did radio and television interviews.

“Now what we really need now is a few more customers through the door to come and see what we have to offer.”

One of Leamington’s oldest shops, the chemists HB Dunn, is to close later this month when the business relocates to nearby Oxford Street.

The Grade II listed shop in Regent Street dates back to 1820 and still has its original wooden pounding post in the middle, where medicinal potions were mixed as the customers waited.

What would happen to this when any new tenant takes over, remains to be seen.

Although district council conservation officer Alan Mayes says the shop’s frontage, which is late 19th century, could not be altered without listed building consent.

The building has been put on the market by the property agents, Reeves and Partners.

“This needs to be a Warwick shop - not a museum”