Wheelhouse defies recession to continue trading (From Hounslow And Brentford Times)

Wheelhouse defies recession to continue trading

8:40am Wednesday 1st July 2009

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A recession-hit family company which had faced closure has turned its fortunes around to stay in business.

Wheelhouse, which has been trading for more than half a century, faced shutting up shop with the loss of 31 jobs earlier this year, as reported by the Hounslow and Brentford Times.

But the store, in Bell Road, Hounslow, which has been in the same family for three generations, is to defy the economic gloom by staying open - and bosses say it is all thanks to its loyal customers.

Store manager Daren Qureshi, 36, said the public response to the closing down sale had taken the business by storm.

“Lots of people were coming out to make their final visit before we closed our doors. Wheelhouse had become an institution in the area,” he said.

In 1955, entrepreneur Clifford Waterson Wheelhouse and his son John Alistair set up the business, which sells household goods. David Wheelhouse, John’s son, began working for the business in 1977. In 1986, David was appointed managing director, and took overall control following his father’s death four years ago.

The economic downturn had hit the company hard and rising business rates had added extra pressure to profits.

When we reported on the story earlier this year, managing director David Wheelhouse, who worked at the store as a Saturday boy at the age of 10, said: “It is very sad, the store is a kind of institution in Hounslow and people feel disappointed that we are going.”

The decision to contimue trading came four weeks ago and it is hoped the business wil now remain open permanently.

It’s good news for Wheelhouse’s loyal customers, who have been known to come from as far as the south coast to shop, and staff are thrilled their jobs are safe.

Mr Qureshi said: “Everyone is very happy as there are not many jobs around at the moment and it is not nice to have that worry put upon you.

“When the closure was announced the general feeling was very low but this news has certainly raised morale.”

The store will now relaunch at the same site but with a new name - The New Wheelhouse Warehouse - and focus on selling more clearance goods and job lots in response to feedback received from customers.

Mr Qureshi said: “Our customers love rummaging through the pallets so that is the where the store is going with this relaunch, we are going 'back to basics'.”

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