Coventry's historic Salt's tobacconist to permanently close

A historic tobacco shop in Coventry is set to close its doors for the final time on March 29 after 109 years in business. Salt’s tobacconist, which survived bombing during World War II, is owned by Mark Kendall, who bought the business from the Salt family in 2020. The shop was first opened by Harry Wilfred Salt in 1916. It has been passed down through generations, with Harry’s granddaughter, Carla Henry, managing it until her retirement. She expressed sadness over the loss of small businesses in the city, reflecting on her childhood memories behind the shop counter. Kendall shared his disappointment over the closing, noting the lively community of customers who frequented the shop. He mentioned the connections he formed with older customers and how their stories brightened his day. Despite the closure of the shop, he plans to continue a light repair service online. Local residents have expressed their sadness on social media, sharing personal memories linked to the tobacconist. In a broader context, the retail sector is facing significant challenges this year, with many stores expected to shut down across the UK. The British Retail Consortium highlighted financial pressures due to rising costs, leading to a predicted loss of thousands of retail jobs in the near future.