Clothing store 144 years family trading closes its door for the final time.

Express & Star

Dancers in Halesowen that has been in the Dancer family for 144 years closed its doors for the final time today, and customers and former staff called in to say goodbye.

Transcript

00:00We've had a chat to your aunt and your dad, and we've touched upon it, you know,

00:05various reasons for Dancer's Closing, which is for a discussion another time,

00:10but today's been a celebration with customers and staff for about 144 years.

00:16I mean, that's mega, isn't it? You know, we must be proud, really, to have that Dancer's

00:20name and see it on the store, and you know, even with it closing, you've left your mark

00:24forever on that halso in history. Yeah, it was a team effort, not just me,

00:31not just the family, the staff who have been extended family, to be honest,

00:36but yeah, it's a pretty good going 144s, and yeah, I'm emotional today.

00:40Yeah, understandably.

00:42Mixed, sad because of that reason, A, because it's a 144-year legacy,

00:49because we've had staff here since the 1990s, and yeah, but at the same time,

00:55it's a relief because I've got family that can retire properly now, so it's...

00:58Yeah, so what's plans for yourself then individually?

01:01Just looking into a new venture with my partner, so yeah, and the business itself,

01:07it's been wound down, so we've been very fortunate to have enough support from various people,

01:15various other businesses helping us to wind it down as well, so...

01:18So what happens now with the stock that is left, A?

01:20That's what we've been having help with, some of it we'll have to try and store for now, so yeah.

01:30Well, thank you for inviting us down on, you know, what is a historic day, really,

01:34and understandably emotional for you, and all I can say is it's been a pleasure every time

01:39we have done something with you over the past, mate, and we wish you all the best

01:42for future ventures, Dave. Appreciate that, thank you.

01:44Take care, buddy.

01:45You all right, guys? We're just doing some bits for the expression star.

01:52Come on, don't run away. Ladies, come on, can we call you?

01:56How are you feeling today, then, seeing it going, dancers?

02:00It is, isn't it? It's sad, isn't it, you know?

02:03It's about 31, we've got some of their uniforms.

02:06Bought the school uniforms from here, no way.

02:08School uniform, I know you're wearing it.

02:11I've worn it before.

02:12Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

02:17These stores go, and there's no one, you're going to struggle to get the stuff, aren't you?

02:21It's not like they're being replaced by stores selling the same stuff.

02:24We all know it's going to be vape shops and cafes, you know what I mean?

02:27That's the problem, yeah.

02:28So it's a sad day.

02:29It is sad.

02:30Yeah, it's been a sad day, so.

02:34144 is crazy, isn't it?

02:37So you just, what, you wanted to come down just to be part of it today and say goodbye,

02:40was that the?

02:44Potentially spend a couple of quid still, yeah, yeah.

02:49Cool.

02:50So round the corner here, looking very smart, we find a young man.

02:53What's your name, sir?

02:55Elias.

02:55Elias, you're looking very smart, aren't you?

02:59I love that jacket, and look at the shiny shoes as well.

03:04So what do you like this store, then?

03:06Yes.

03:07So what do you like about it?

03:09Go on.

03:09That there's tailcoats and stuff.

03:11Tailcoats, ah, so you like the tailored fit?

03:16Yes.

03:16Where do you get your great style from?

03:18Probably here.

03:20Yeah, yeah, and who is it?

03:21Is your dad stylish?

03:23Is your mummy stylish?

03:26Yeah, so you're leading the way?

03:28Yes.

03:29Well, you look great, you look great.

03:30Shall we call you girls?

03:31Come on.

03:34Come on, mum, come on.

03:35Elias, come round by mum.

03:36Come on, you've been brave enough to face the camera.

03:39Isn't he a smart little chap?

03:40He is.

03:42Hey, and this little one here, he's got the cap on as well, look.

03:47So you're going to miss dancers.

03:48Hello, matey, hello.

03:50You're going to miss dancers, then.

03:51I mean, it's a great store, isn't it, mum?

03:52You know, especially when you've got children that want to dress as stylish as Elias here.

03:56It's a sad day, then.

03:58It is, really, yeah.

03:59It is, isn't it?

04:00Yeah.

04:01Oh, you've got a sweetie.

04:02Is that of Dave?

04:03Dave Dancer.

04:04Good stuff.

04:05Right, well, thank you, Elias.

04:06Let me shake your hand, young man.

04:08Lovely to meet you, sir.

04:10There was a big cheer, then, when this young lady come in the shop, wasn't there?

04:14There was.

04:14So you work at dancers, the red jumper's the clue.

04:17Yes.

04:17And who've we got here with you?

04:19Carol Jones.

04:20So you used to work here, Carol?

04:22I did.

04:22So when did you finish here, then, Carol?

04:262012, sir.

04:28Yeah?

04:29Yeah, you did.

04:30And how long were you here for?

04:3133 years.

04:3233 years, wow.

04:35Long time.

04:35Yeah.

04:36I was a long whip snapper.

04:37You were.

04:39How about that?

04:39And when you work, you know, a store like this, you just get to know, it's the customers,

04:44it's the regular customers.

04:45Get the regular people coming in.

04:47Yeah, it's part, you know, when people say, what is community?

04:50For a high street, it's shops like this, isn't it?

04:52And you take them out of it, and we lose a bit of that community.

04:55We serve people.

04:56Yeah, yeah.

04:56That was what they just said.

04:58Yeah, very good way of putting it.

05:00And I know exactly what you mean, actually.

05:02So you wanted to come along today, just to be part of the...

05:05I like to create, you know, a little bit of you and me.

05:08Yeah, you certainly did.

05:10I heard the cheer, the cheer go up when you came in.

05:13So you'll be, it's a, I mean, there's a lovely, ironically,

05:16it's a lovely atmosphere, isn't there?

05:18Because everyone's, but that's just the spirit of the shop, isn't it?

05:21And what dances means to people.

05:23Yeah.

05:24I guess it's tomorrow, isn't it?

05:25When the reality strikes at the sadness hall.

05:27And it's the stories about Christmas parties, isn't it?

05:31Are they printable?

05:33What happens on a Christmas party stays on a Christmas party.

05:36Yeah, yes.

05:38We've got the old bill of sale here for the properties where we are.

05:41And who've we got?

05:42What's your name, sir?

05:43Mike Dancer.

05:44Of course it is, Mike Dancer.

05:45And Jan?

05:46Jan.

05:47So you're, is it sister?

05:49Sister, yes.

05:50Cool.

05:50So how are you feeling?

05:52I mean, 144 years, family business.

05:55It's been a lovely atmosphere while I've been in here, ironically, hasn't it?

05:58The customers coming in and reminiscing.

06:01And is that helping to get through?

06:04What is a landmark day?

06:05Well, I think it really is, yes, absolutely.

06:07It's the support from members of the public and especially the staff have been fantastic.

06:12Yeah.

06:13And Jan, how are you feeling?

06:16A mixture of sad.

06:17It's been so busy the last few days.

06:18We just haven't had chances equally.

06:20Yeah, probably a good thing really, in a way.

06:23We just, I think it's all the friendships we've made.

06:25And we have such lovely staff.

06:27Such lovely, loyal staff and that's what we'll miss.

06:31One of your ex-colleagues was telling me that when the people come here,

06:35they often stay working here for a long, long time or return

06:37because of that nice atmosphere that there is here.

06:40Yes.

06:40Which is nice to hear, isn't it?

06:44Everybody becomes part of the family.

06:45Yeah.

06:46And the reactions you've been getting from people coming in,

06:49I check it, a lot of them are coming in to say, you know, we're sad to see you going.

06:53Yes, and that they'll miss us when we've gone.

06:56We've had lots of cards and boxes of chocolates.

06:59So the customers are no longer coming in.

07:02You're just going to have a few moments with the staff, I understand, aren't you, Dave?

07:05Just have a drink and a chat and stuff.

07:08How about a Dancer's Annual Reunion?

07:10What do you reckon, in the pub?

07:12It's not a bad idea, is it?

07:14It's a good time to think about it.

07:16So did you start in the business as a young kid yourself, Mike, then?

07:20We all did as children.

07:21Yeah, yeah.

07:21So how are you feeling at the minute yourself then?

07:24Oh, it's really a mixed reaction.

07:26But, you know, it's the way it's, what's in life and that's it.

07:29Yeah.

07:30On to the next chapter.

07:31Yeah, yeah.

07:32Mike's 76, I think he's...

07:34You've done your bit.

07:35You've done your bit, Mike.

07:37And we were just chatting a bit off camera, there's numerous...

07:41It's difficult for retail businesses to survive in this day and age for various reasons.

07:48But I understand you don't particularly want to dwell on that, those reasons today.

07:53Today's a day for...

07:54Celebrating that we've been here for 144 years, five generations.

07:58Which is, I mean, that's amazing, isn't it?

08:00It is an achievement.

08:01What businesses have done that?

08:02I remember Oaks is over at Samwell.

08:05They got 200 years, about 10-ish years ago, and that was mega.

08:09So 144, you know, that's something to be proud of as a family, isn't it?

08:13So that's what we've tried to concentrate on today, is the celebration of 144 years.

08:18Well, you've certainly left your mark on our zone, and it's history, for sure.

08:23For sure.

08:23So all the best to you and the family in whatever ventures you delve into next, guys.

08:29Thank you very much, very kind of you.

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