Wards set to close in Bexhill

Signs went up in the windows on Wednesday morning which seemed to confirm the rumour that the business had gone into administration and will no longer be a familiar sight on Bexhill's busiest shopping street. Inside staff told customers that unless a new owner is found the shop will be gone in six weeks. Ward's has been in Bexhill since the 1930's and generations have grown up wearing first the school uniforms purchased by parents there then later the formal hire wear used for weddings or other family occasions. The shop also supplies womenswear and lingerie as well as menswear, while its sister shop in Robertson Street in Hastings sells school uniform as well as catering for brownies, guides, beavers, scouts and cubs. Wards Group has other branches in Ashford, Hailsham, Lewes, Maidstone, Rayleigh and Southend and all are now currently facing closure. The chairman of Wards Group until recently was Ben Field who resigned last Wednesday. Currently at the helm is managing director Robert Ledsham who this week was unavailable for comment about the future of the company. There are five employees working in the Bexhill shop on the ground floor of the building while upstairs in the popular coffee lounge there are seven members of staff. One of them told the Observer: "We are very upset. This is more than just a cafe - it is more like a little social meeting place as well. A lot of the staff have been here for years so are very close to the customers. It's very upsetting...but it isn't the end, maybe it's the start of something new to us, because who knows if someone might come along and save us. "It's a sad time for us. We hope they will find a buyer for us." Sue Spice of Bexhill Chamber of Commerce commented: "Wards have been a supportive member of Bexhill Chamber of Commerce for many years and it is awful to see such a long established business closing. Our thoughts are with the staff and directors during this depressing time".