A.R. White & Son Closes After 95 Years in the United Kingdom

After 95 years of dressing the people of Bilston in top-quality suits and menswear, A.R. White & Son has announced it will be closing its doors for good in September 2025. The news has touched many people, as the shop has been a local favourite for nearly a century, offering exceptional service and tailored clothing across generations. In this blog, we’ll look at the legacy of A.R. White & Son, the reasons behind its closure and the bigger challenges facing high streets today.

A proud family business since 1929

A.R. White & Son was founded by Albert Reginald White back in 1929. With his passion for tailoring and customer service, Albert quickly earned a solid reputation for offering well-made clothing. His commitment to delivering superb suits and personal attention to each customer helped the shop become a trusted name in Bilston and the surrounding areas.

Twenty years after opening, Albert’s son Kenneth joined the family business. Kenneth brought his energy and love for the craft, continuing his father’s work and helping the business grow. Under his leadership, the shop became even more popular and well-known across the West Midlands.

In 1980, Kenneth’s son Chris, at just 18 years old, stepped into the business. He worked alongside his dad, learning everything about tailoring and customer service, before eventually taking the reins. Over the years, Chris has become the face of the shop and a respected figure in the Bilston community. His focus on providing excellent service and great suits helped keep A.R. White & Son thriving while also making it a place where customers felt like family.

Through all the changes over the years, Chris has kept the family tradition alive, sticking to the values of quality and personal care that made the shop special from the start. A.R. White & Son has become more than just a shop – it’s been a place where generations of people came for suits, advice and a friendly chat.

Why is the shop closing?

Chris recently shared the news on Facebook, confirming that A.R. White & Son will be closing down, with a sale now on to clear stock. The shop will continue to offer alterations, dry cleaning and special orders until it shuts later this year.

After more than 40 years in the business, Chris has decided it’s time to retire and enjoy a well-earned break. The local community has been incredibly supportive, leaving kind messages and sharing fond memories of the shop and its excellent service.

The bigger picture

Although this closure is about Chris retiring, it highlights a bigger problem across high streets in the UK. Many shops – both small independents and big chains – are finding it hard to stay open because of rising costs. From April 2025, businesses will have to pay more in National Insurance contributions, which will cost the retail sector around £2.3 billion.

The minimum wage is also increasing, making it more expensive to employ staff, and more people now shop online on sites like Vinted or ASOS, making it harder for local shops to compete.

Plus, fewer people visit the area when a key store like A.R. White & Son closes, affecting nearby shops as well. These challenges are putting a lot of pressure on businesses, especially in towns where spending power is already stretched.

Changing shopping habits

People’s shopping habits have changed over the years. Today, convenience often wins. Many customers prefer buying with one click online and having items delivered straight to their door.

While bigger retailers have adapted by combining online and in-store shopping, smaller, family-run shops like A.R. White & Son face more obstacles. In addition to that, expensive parking, high business rates, and a lack of investment in town centres make it even harder for small shops to survive.

What this means for Bilston

For many locals, A.R. White & Son isn’t just a shop – it’s a part of Bilston’s history. Families have come here for generations, whether for wedding suits, school uniforms, or their first job interview outfits. It’s been a trusted place for life’s big moments, where people felt looked after and valued.

The loss of this shop isn’t just a hit to the local economy, it’s a personal one too. It’s the kind of place that brings a community together. A friendly conversation while getting measured up, a familiar face behind the counter, and the reassurance that you’d always walk out with something that fit just right. Shops like A.R. White & Son become landmarks in people’s lives, woven into the stories of the town and the memories of those who live there.

When businesses like this close, it’s not just about losing a storefront – it’s about losing a sense of place, connection and tradition. It’s a reminder of how much independent shops contribute to the heart and soul of a high street and just how much they’ll be missed when they’re gone.

What happens next?

Although the end is near, Chris and his team will still be open and welcoming customers for the next few months, offering the same great service they always have. It’s a chance for people to pop in, show their support and say goodbye to a much-loved local shop.

If you’re a small business owner in a similar boat – maybe thinking about retiring, finding it hard to keep up with rising costs, or just not sure what’s next – it might be a good time to take a step back and look at your options.