Fakenham clothes shop Splitz closes after 10 years of business

Andre Baker, owner of Spiltz in Fakenham, has decided to call time on her business on Norwich Street

She has cited a number of factors, including a drop in footfall and the rising cost of her utility bills, as reasons for the closure.

Mrs Baker opened the shop back in 2012 and was well known for her wide offering of women’s clothes.

Owner of Spiltz in Fakenham, Andre Baker, has called time after 10 years in business (Image: Newsquest)

The shop's final day of trading was on November 24 - which was moved forward 48 hours after selling out almost everything in stock.

“I am near retirement, and I wanted to do less - the footfall has gone down, and it seems to me that the public does not have the excess money anymore,” Mrs Baker said.

“The rent has increased, along with electricity and heating - the profit margins are so low.

"You are on the high street to make a living, and if that is not there, then what is the point of it?

"You have to know when its time to throw in the towel, if you do not do that, then it will get you, and I didn’t want that to happen, so that is why I’ve called time - but I was prepared to be in it for another 10 years.”

The former supermarket manager had toyed with the idea of running her own business for around a decade before she took the plunge in October 2012 to leave Morrisons and start the shop - opening in December of the same year.

She started by selling second-hand garments to build a customer base and raise the funds.

Eighteen months later, she earned enough to sell exclusive new clothes at the shop.

“The last decade has absolutely flown by. In my heart of hearts, I thought it would go on longer, I was surprised after the pandemic with how things picked up but given the nature of the financial climate and taking everything into consideration, it’s not just a viable thing for me to do,” she added.

Mrs Baker will now look to spend more time with her family.