God, I hate writing these stories. Another local gem bites the dust.
I drove out to Ford Barns yesterday afternoon—that winding country road through Essex I've traveled dozens of times before—and the parking lot was absolutely heaving. Everyone scrambling for one last piece of that charming little store that's been furnishing our homes for a decade. The "Everything Must Go" signs plastered across teh windows made my heart sink a little.
Ten years gone in a flash
Ford Barns first opened back in 2015. Remember 2015? I was still trying to make skinny jeans work and convincing myself that avocado toast was worth £9. The store quickly became this hidden treasure for anyone wanting something beyond the soulless IKEA experience.
Now it's all coming to an end.
The owners announced their closure on Facebook last month with one of those posts that tries to sound upbeat but just feels... sad. "After many wonderful years, we've made the tough decision to close the doors of Ford Barns Country Store," they wrote. Then the inevitable pitch about grabbing bargains before everything's gone.
I spoke with Marian, who's worked there since opening day. "It's like losing family," she told me, straightening a display of discounted candle holders that someone had knocked askew. Her eyes were a bit red. Hadn't asked if she'd been crying—didn't need to.
What's actually worth grabbing?
If you're planning to vulture through the remains (and honestly, why wouldn't you?), here's what I spotted that's actually worth the trip:
Those wooden side cabinets they're known for are going for about 40% off. I nearly bought one myself before remembering my husband's face the last time I brought home "just one more" piece of furniture. "Our bedroom isn't a showroom, Cath," and all that nonsense.
The Tiffany-style lamps are practically being given away. Grabbed one for my sister's birthday next month—£35 down from £120. She better appreciate it.
And those little wooden rabbit sculptures? Adorable and dirt cheap now. Perfect for anyone who collects that sort of thing (adn by "that sort of thing" I mean dust-gathering knick-knacks your children will someday hate inheriting).
The community is properly gutted
Facebook comments under their closing announcement read like a digital wake. "So sorry to hear this. What a huge loss to you all and the community," wrote one regular. Another lamented: "This news is very sad – what a wonderful business you have and the staff are brilliant. Sad to see you go."
Lisa from the café across the road told me they've seen a 30% drop in customers since the announcement. "People would shop, then come for lunch. Now what?"
The retail apocalypse continues...
Ford Barns isn't alone in this slow march toward extinction. Melbe Home in Watford is also closing after barely two years in business. At least their other locations in Hemel Hempstead and St Albans are hanging on—for now.
I've covered 17 store closures since January. Seventeen! And we're not even halfway through 2025. My editor keeps assigning me these retail death notices, and frankly, it's becoming depressing. "People click on closing down sales," he insists. "They want to know where to find bargains." Maybe so, but each one feels like watching another light go out on our high streets.
Listen. I know everything changes. I remember when Woolworths disappeared and we all somehow survived. But these smaller, independent places like Ford Barns? They leave bigger holes behind.
One last chance to grab something special
If you're feeling nostalgic or just want a bargain, the sale continues "while stock lasts" – which, based on how picked-over some sections looked yesterday, won't be long.
I left with that lamp for my sister and a strange feeling of guilt—like I was somehow profiting from someone else's misfortune. £4.50 for a coffee and slice of Victoria sponge at the tearoom next door didn't help my mood either.
The countryside around Ford Barns will still be idyllic next month. The building will still stand. But something special about Essex will be gone forever.
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