A cherished family-run business in Bournemouth, Fabric Land, has permanently closed its doors after almost four decades of trading.
The store, located on Dominion Road, shut down following a significant rent hike. Managing director Jeremy Berg revealed that the annual rent increased by 57 per cent, alongside the landlord’s demand for a 15-year lease and a personal guarantor.
“At our age, signing a 15-year lease is simply unreasonable,” Jeremy explained. “Retail isn’t what it used to be, and raising rents in today’s economic climate feels unnecessary. While landlords understandably want higher rents, they should also consider the state of the economy.”
A Legacy in Bournemouth
Fabric Land opened its first Bournemouth store in 1985 on the High Street, initially trading in The Avenue before moving to Commercial Road, where they operated for 20 years. For the past 17 years, the business was based near Turbary Retail Park.
Reflecting on the journey, Jeremy said: “Being in Bournemouth for 40 years, we’ve had the privilege of serving two generations. Thank you to all our customers—you’ve been the key to our success.”
Community Reaction
News of the closure has sparked an outpouring of sadness on social media, with many customers lamenting the loss of a beloved local business.
One long-time shopper shared: “I’ve been visiting Fabric Land for 36 years. As a seamstress, it’s heartbreaking—especially with the challenges of sourcing materials since Brexit and Covid.”
Future Plans
Jeremy confirmed that Fabric Land has no plans to reopen in Bournemouth. Remaining stock from the store has been redistributed to their other locations in Southampton, Bristol, and London.
For Bournemouth-area customers, Fabric Land offers online shopping with a click-and-collect service available from their head office in Ringwood.
“We started this journey after running a haberdashery stall in London,” Jeremy shared, recalling the early days of the business. The couple relocated to West Parley to escape the fast-paced city life, with his wife opening a stall at Ferndown Market that steadily grew into the thriving business known today.
As the curtain falls on Fabric Land’s Bournemouth chapter, the company’s legacy lives on through its other stores and loyal customers who have supported it for nearly 40 years.
