They keep ebbing away in the high street, yes, another shop has closed.

This time it was the end of the card shop Occasions, which was located at 41 High Street, Rushden.

Over a period of twenty plus years, many customers have been served numerous times by Allison, Katy, Judith, and Amanda, etc.

No doubt you have enjoyed choosing various items over many years, and the wide options on offer.

Other shops have now gone, they are Fresh Fish Rushden, which was at 142 Wellingborough Road, and Rushden Home Decor lasted but a short period in the High Street.

Also in the High Street, the owners of Crystelle Belle said they were ‘sad’ to announce that their shop would cease trading. Their tenure was just short of five years.

Moving away from the High Street, imagine the cost of being in business down at the “Lakes”. Several names have now gone, Robert Goddard has closed their shop at Rushden Lakes. They were one of the first to open during the first phase.

Also calling it a day were, Jurassic Grill, Blue Mountain Yard and Hopmaster. The latter were previously in the former Post Office in College Street.

Closing down sale signs had been in the windows of Robert Goddard for some time, but Monday February 5th, 2024 was its last day of trading.

On Tuesday 13th February, 2024, the well-known beauty brand, “Bodyshop” appointed experts from FRP Advisory to oversee administration, a UK process where financial experts are drafted in to try and save parts of a company.

“Bodyshop” has around 200 stores, including the shop in Rushden Lakes’ Garden Square. The brand was started around fifty years ago by Anita Roddick.

The owners of Occasions closed the doors on Saturday 23rd March, 2024, and have decided on a move to live in Wales.

Several of my sources have told me that it is going to be another Barber’s shop.

On the final day of operation, the weather was dry and sunny, but breezy and chilly winds made it feel colder than the 16°C.