Chapter 22, a beloved flower and record shop located on Broad Street in Bath, has closed its doors after a protracted rent dispute with Bath and North East Somerset Council. The council had demanded repayment of a “substantial amount of rent,” warning the business it faced closure if the debt was not settled.
The shop owners shared the news with their customers on Instagram on Monday, October 13, expressing their heartbreak: “It’s taken us a week to let you all know, but Chapter 22 has closed its doors for the last time. Our beautiful shop was built with love and relentless hard work over the past four years.”
Taking a pointed stance against the council, the owners lamented the lack of support: “It wasn’t our decision to close, and the council’s failure to support us has been nothing short of disgraceful. Independents of Bath be warned.” They also cited the challenging retail climate and rising costs as contributing factors.
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The owners thanked their customers, friends, family, and the musical bands that helped make their shop a unique and vibrant space, adding, “We are taking some time to process what has happened, but we are hopeful the future will sing bright for us.”
Council cabinet member for resources, Mark Elliott, responded by stating that enforcement action, including potential closures, only follows extensive discussions and attempts at resolution. “We have a responsibility to ensure all monies owed to the council are collected, whether from an individual or a business,” he said.
Shop owners Nicola Taylor and Dean Brown had described Broad Street as ‘Grim Street’ due to low footfall and poor signage, which they had campaigned to improve over two years. Taylor revealed that the shop, which traditionally relies on busy periods around Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Mother’s Day, had hoped to repay the rent then. However, the council reportedly refused to allow a repayment plan.
The shop had consistently paid rent until six months ago, when severe trading conditions and a lack of customers led to arrears. Reactions from the public were mixed, with some sympathizing with the shop’s struggles and others pointing out that non-payment of rent has consequences, much like any other rental agreement.
This closure highlights the ongoing challenges faced by independent retailers in Bath and raises questions about support for local businesses in difficult economic times.