One of Brighton’s best-loved shops, Dockerills, is to close in just over three months’ time after more than a century of trading.
The hardware store’s premises, Regent House, in Church Street, looks likely to be rented out to another business or businesses while the family firm, Dockerills (Brighton) Limited, keeps its head office there.
The shop was started in Edward Street by Walter James Dockerill and the business is currently run by the third and fourth generation of the family.
It employs about a dozen people, described as “half of them family and the others who are like family”.
The company issued a statement. It said: “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the closure of our Dockerills high street store at the end of September.
“The business has been a part of the North Laine community for over 100 years and established in Regent House, Church Street, since the mid-70s.
“Since our first shop, established in Edward Street in 1915, we have proudly served the local community and trade customers.
“We have always aimed to operate with unwavering dedication and commitment to offering quality products and excellent customer service which have stood the test of time.
“Our head office will remain in the Regent House building as we will continue to operate our transitional business model.
“We will proudly reflect on the remarkable journey that began in Edward Street in 1915 and spanned the generations of Dockerills family members that have ensured the legacy continues.
“After a lot of careful consideration, we have made the difficult decision to close our shop doors.
“With declining footfall and increasing operational overheads, the high street has changed considerably over recent years and our business has suffered as a consequence.
“Unfortunately, the fifth generation could not develop a sustainable retail business model moving forward.
“We extend our deepest gratitude to our loyal customers for the incredible support given to us and we have fond memories serving both old and new friends that have visited our various shops in the North Laine over many years.
“While this chapter may be ending, the legacy of our shop will continue in the records of Brighton history and who knows it may return once these challenging and changeable times pass.
“We thank you once again for your support, and we hope to see you around the North Laine area as we continue to build on the legacy and freehold of our historical Regent House building.”
Very sad, Dockerills was very important to us when we had a business in Bond Street.
Very sad news indeed. It’s like the ravens leaving the Tower of London. I feel for the staff and owners.
The shop is closing. The business is continuing.
Nothing to do with the Council.
Very, very sorry to see this shop close. I’ve used it regularly for over 50 years. The knowledge and expertise of the staff will be badly missed. Bad news that another specialist trader is forced to close.
Very sad. All the parking restrictions won’t have helped. If you’re a contractor you want to be able to park outside for 5 minutes to collect the gear you have to buy. There are also time pressures as far as your customers are concerned. They don’t want you gone half a day to pick up the goods, particularly if they are paying you by the hour. You are going to go to the businesses where parking is quickest and easiest. Fact. So if I were Dockerills I’d be suing the Council for the loss of my business.
So sorry to hear that you are going to close the doors for the last time.Over the years I have loved stepping inside the shop and having that lovely smell greet me.Best of luck for the future.Martin Adley.
What a crying shame. I bought many of the carved bits for the various period properties I have restored over the years.
It’s soon going to be dodgy online shops with no history or customer care left with all the misery that entails
Massive shame, but probably way to many staff and a family business, it’s not easy to sack people. But they could stay, if they ran it with 1 or 2 full-time as guessing they own the property so very low overheads. I’ve never seen less than 5 people behind the counter, which is a bit overkill for a key cutters when most timpsons runs on 1 member of staff.
But as usual the main culprit will be the likes of Amazon because people are to lazy to walk into town to buy a dust pan and brush ect.
I am not sure you can really compare Dockerill’s to Timpson’s. Their range of stock is immense and far more ground space to cover as opposed to Timpson’s – they don’t just cut keys……
Such a shame ,traded with them many years ,sad end of a of a great part of brightons history
So sad. Dockerills are an institution, staffed by friendly, knowledgeable experts (borderline nerds), who enjoy what they do and take pride in it. No chatbot or call centre agent can replace the value of human face to face engagement. Funny how governments find money to save banks and their fat cat buddies but can’t save high streets.
Could the shop move? Think how well the Nut and Bolt does on Hove’s Portland Road.
They own the building. So then they’d have to pay rent on where they move to. We already got Brydens here in Hove, which we all love ❤️
I am surprised the article did not mention the shop’s cat who sat on the counter and lived until about twenty-five.
This is incredibly sad. When I was a cabinet-maker in the 80s/90s, I used this shop endlessly for bits of brass ware, etc. I never minded paying a few pennies more for some things because I loved the traditional “get-all-y”need” aspect to it’s business. Often, it was the only place to see and buy what was needed quickly, or with expert guidance. I’ve seen too many of these type of shops closed in many towns over the last 10 years.
If I was a millionaire, I’d rent one half and open as a “spit n’sawdust” concept coffee shop and pay to keep the other half running as the general store it is. …
…The remaining 20 to 30 years, I’ve used the store for all manner of other bits n bobs when in town. And, yes, the parking preventions have seriously not helped in dropping by (5 mins was never long enough).
I’ve often wondered how in 2024 such a city-central shop premises can survive on selling hardware. It seemed the wrong location in the modern world and I’m pleased they are adapting to this rather than going under. I’m sure their future will be rosy. It’s a sensible decision, but sad too.