The changing economics of retail, the increased cost of importing, along with fierce competition from larger organisations, have hit us hard. Trading has been incredibly challenging, especially over the past 5 years, and we have relied heavily on personal investment and community support to try and stay here for you.
However, as you will no doubt understand, the additional and very sudden impact of Covid-19 on top of these other factors has further weakened our position, where stock availability was (and in some instances still is) at its worst ever, especially from our overseas colleagues. The economic outlook is now too uncertain, especially with the changes expected in January next year, so it's with a very heavy heart that I must tell you we will be winding down The ToolPost. Please know we explored every possible avenue to continue trading but the combined financial impact of the past 5 years means the business is no longer sustainable for the family in a way which we would like to see it run.
I understand how disappointed you may be to receive this news, and I don't think it's an overstatement to say that, after 23 years of trading, it really is the end of an era.
I'd like to say a heartfelt thank you for your custom over the years and can wholeheartedly say that without you, we wouldn't have had the energy to keep pressing on.
I'm sure you'll want to know when we're closing; At the moment, our aim is to continue as usual until the end of September but if anything changes, you'll be first to know. We also hope that we will be able to open our doors during this period, but we will also announce details and dates of that in due course.
On a personal note, it's been my privilege to serve The ToolPost (in all it's forms) on and off for the past 23 years when my father, Peter, founded the company from our home and garden shed in 1997 - look how far we've come. I couldn't be more proud of the brand, the team (including Jen and Faith), the community and the incredible reputation we've built in the industry alongside so many great people, suppliers and brands.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without my father's vision and tenacity, to bring the best of the woodworking world to a small part of South Oxfordshire, making products/brands accessible which had never been offered before and working with manufacturers to further develop those which were. I hope you will join me in your own way, to raise a glass to Peter for all he has contributed to the industry (more than many will ever know) - perhaps now he can actually enjoy his retirement.
On behalf of the entire team here at The ToolPost, thank you for joining us on our journey.
As a result of our closure, much of our own-branded products have been transferred to Beaufort Ink, who now handle the manufacturing, retailing and wholesale distribution of the Toolpost Versachuck among other things. Please visit them at www.beaufortink.co.uk to buy many of the Toolpost product that you could previously buy here
Best wishes,
Felix Hemsley
General Manager - The ToolPost
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