W. Hurst & Son Confirms Freshwater And Shanklin Stores To Remain Open

Island retailer W. Hurst & Son has confirmed its Freshwater and Shanklin branches will remain open following a comprehensive financial review.

The past year has seen significant changes for the long-established business, including the closure of its Ventnor store in August 2025 and the introduction of cost-saving measures such as a voluntary redundancy programme.

The company says those steps have allowed it to streamline operations, with no further closures or redundancies planned at this time.

Directors say the changes were necessary to ensure the business remains resilient amid rising operating costs and increasing competition from large online retailers.

The decision to retain the Freshwater and Shanklin stores was strongly influenced by continued support from the local community.

Despite ongoing challenges in the retail sector, W. Hurst & Son says it remains committed to serving the Isle of Wight, as it has done for more than 165 years.

The company now operates across six locations, including its newest site within Honnor & Jeffrey near Sandown, and continues to offer Island-wide delivery alongside an online ordering service.