Bury St Edmunds kitchenware store, Kitchen Kave, in Brentgovel Street, set to close - with plans to reopen as a greengrocers

A family-run kitchenware store is set to close after more than a decade in town.

Kitchen Kave, in Brentgovel Street, is currently holding a half-price ‘flash sale’ - with signs saying ‘everything-must-go’.

Owner, Jay Palfrey, says he is hoping to relaunch the shop after a refurbishment, as a greengrocers.

He said: “I am sad to close Kitchen Kave as it has been in my heart all this time.

“But I am excited at the same time, to hopefully launch the new venture, if a little anxious.”

Kitchen Kave, which has been popular with shoppers over the last 13 years, is set to shut up shop at the end of February.

Jay said a combination of factors have led to the decision to close.

“The main influence has been the alleyway created alongside the post office development.

“This has hit our trade by around 40 per cent through a drop in footfall, with people walking from the old town to the new town through there, rather than walking past us. They used it less when it was just a small unkempt alleyway.

“People are also spending less after Covid and focusing on what they need, rather than things like gifts, which we also sold.

“Then there are also business cost rises which has affected all businesses, especially independents.”

Jay said the shop will close for around a month after the sale ends. He is hoping to reopen as a greengrocers at the end of March.

“To do this though, I need change of use permission to switch from kitchenware to food and other agreements for the refurbishment, as well as things such as food hygiene certificates” he said.

“I sold fruit and vegetables when I first left school, so in some ways, it is going back to my roots. If it all goes to plan, I hope people will support us.”

Jay said he also hopes to sell a range of coffee beans at the new shop.

Son Charly said the family will also keep their market stall selling gardenware, and Christmas items in December.

He said the name of the new shop, if it wins the go-ahead, is ‘likely’ to stay as Kitchen Kave, but ‘it’s not set in stone’.