28 Southend Extra, March 2010

LL Wellfare

A

LANDMARK, family-run storeisto close after 60 years and is holding an amazing everything-must-go sale. LL WellfareinSutton Road, Southend,

will stop trading in June, having sup- plied furniture, carpets and electrical goods to four generations of customers. Current owner RichardWellfare, 67, (pictured) explained that the time was right to wind the business down. He said: “Wehave had agood innings

and have built up afantastic reputation in the town, of which Iamvery proud.” Richard’sfather Len started the busi-

ness as asmall second-hand furniture shop after leaving the navy in 1946. The shop soon expanded along Sutton Road, and in 1954 caused quite astir when Harry Secombe opened the new electrical part of the store. The company survived afireinits

warehouse in the seventies, which Richardhas described as the store's ‘darkest hour’. Richardtold of his surprise at the pub-

lic reaction to the closure. He said: “Since the news became public, we have had a steady stream of customers in the storeexpressing how sad they wereto hear we wereclos- ing. “I think that the service that we have been able to provide has been enhanced by the fact that most of our workers have been with us for many years. “Many customers

have become our friends, and we have always prided our- selves on our per- sonal service.” The sale will see every item of stock sold beforethe

store’sclosureatthe end of June. Richardsaid: “I would advise everyone

to get down to the shop quickly as we aremaking huge reductions. “Weare selling everything from mirrors

and pictures to whole bedroom suites, that in many cases, areatcost price or less. “I doubt that you would find this quali-

ty of goods anywhereinthe country as cheap.” The store’sclosuremarks the end of

an era, Richardcommented: “It is asad time for everyone involved in the com- pany,but we areall looking to the future with happy memories of our time here." “I would like to take this opportunity to thank my loyal staffand customers for making the LL Wellfarethe amazing company that it is.” The sale is now on at 104 Sutton Road, Southend, SS2 5ER. For moreinformation call 01702 463401. Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32