Family shoe shop to close after more than a century on Lancaster high street

Monday, 5 August 2024 10:09

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

Jonathan Banks Lyon. Image from Banks Lyon Shoes Facebook page.

A fixture of the high street in Lancaster city centre is set to close down after more than a century.

Banks Lyon Shoes on Church Street will shut its doors with the retirement of Jonathan Banks Lyon.

Mr Banks Lyon told Beyond Radio the shop would be closing on August 31.

The shop announced the closure with a post on its Facebook page and a photo of Mr Banks Lyon with a 'Closing Down Sale' sign.

"Wow what a journey it’s been!" it said.

"It has been a pleasure helping our lovely customers find the right shoes for each big occasion. From first shoes to first interview shoes, wedding shoes, holiday sandals, visits to the races. We’ve delighted in your journeys. We’ve laughed with you cried with you and everything in between. What’s always made us special is our people and the connection and service we’ve given to you.

"We need to thank our amazing loyal team who have been with us through all the ups and downs. We couldn’t have done it without you."

In response, past and present customers of Banks Lyon Shoes thanked them for their service for so many years.

One said: "You will be very much missed in the town centre but you definitely deserve to put your feet up now and enjoy your retirement to the full."

Another wrote: "Oh no my parents and I all got our shoes from you, sad day for Lancaster to see an fabulous independent family run shop like yours close. Such a sad day. But happy retirement Jon, thanks for all the service to you and the family."

In reply, Banks Lyon Shoes posted: "Thank you all so much for your kind words. We are overwhelmed!"

In 2022, Beyond Radio interviewed Mr Banks Lyon about the history of the shop.

He said he'd begun working at the family shop on Church Street around 50 years ago, and believed the business dated back to around 1872 on North Road, before moving to Church Street in 1921.

Mr Banks Lyon said he was the fourth generation of his family to work there, after his father Harry, grandfather Harry and great grandfather Joseph.

Banks Lyon Jewellers, set up by Jonathan's brother Rodney, is a separate business next door to the shoe shop.

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