Historic Leicester clothes retailer set to close

An iconic clothing retailer which dates back to 1910 is set to close its doors.

Irish, which is based on the corner of Silver Street and High Street, will shut for good early next year before being turned into a coffee shop.

Irish is third generation family business and was set up by Joseph Brown in 1910. The Brown family will let the freehold of the building to the unnamed coffee chain.

Reports say that Joseph’s grandson Tom, who now runs Irish, said it had been a tough decision to take. He added: “Market forces have taken their toll. The Highcross is taking over as regards quality shopping. It’s not nice. It’s the end of an era.

“I think that by putting a high quality coffee shop here, it will give this location an edge.

“By giving up what we are doing and changing to a coffee shop it will really give the city a focal point that could just help the High Street.

“The new occupier will use the history of the building, they want to enhance the building, trading from the ground and first floor, with tables outside which will give it a Mediterranean feel.”

Irish was originally known as Irish Manufacturing Company. The Brown family says it will continue to run its Loughborough store.