THE only dedicated gun shop in the Channel Islands is due to close its doors later this year after 70 years in business.
Newton & Newton owner Graeme Delanoe cited rising costs, changes in consumer habits and a decline in footfall as the reasons that the store would be closing on Christmas Eve this year.
In a post, Mr Delanoe said it was “something I have been thinking about for the last few years”.
He added: “With the decline of people willing to come into town and the huge cost of living, the time is right for me.”
The Colomberie-based business, which has remained in the same place since it was founded in 1954 by Fred and Les Newton, began as a photography shop before evolving into a gun and sports equipment supplier as Mr Newton developed an interest in shooting.
Mr Delanoe, who has owned the business for the past eight years and worked there for 34, said that rising rents, the dominance of online shopping, and a fall in tourism had made trading on the high street increasingly difficult.
“When I first started, we were open six and a half days a week until 10pm at night, with hundreds of tourists,” Mr Delanoe recalled. “Now, tourism has changed. People come to Jersey, but they’re not shopping.”
He pointed to challenges such as limited parking and the rise of online retail, which have drawn foot traffic away from the Colomberie area.
“There’s nothing to bring people up this way any more. Myself and Damien [MacCormack] from the record shop [Music Scene] are the only two actual shops left in this section,” he explained.
The decision comes as Jersey’s high street faces increasing pressures, with the number of empty stores reaching a record high and online shopping now accounting for an average spend of £106 per household weekly.
Although the shop in Colomberie is closing, Mr Delanoe plans to continue operating in the firearms sector from private premises.
This move will allow him to reduce costs, including £15,000 in annual rent and an additional £6,000 in pension expenses, he said.
“I’ll still have customers if I’m operating from somewhere else,” he said. “Giving up the shop is a no-brainer when you look at the costs.”
Many Islanders shared fond memories of the shop when learning about its closure.
One long-time customer said: “I purchased my first firearm there 52 years ago.”
Others described Mr Delanoe as “one of the best and nicest shopkeepers” and praised his contribution to the local shooting community.
At 64, Graeme is looking forward to spending more time with his family, including his two grandchildren, aged six and three.
“I’ve made so many friends over the years, and it’s going to be very, very sad,” he said. “But I want to enjoy my retirement and spend time with my family.”
“I appreciate everyone’s support over the years,” he said. “It’s been the only toy shop for men, where I’ve watched generations come through, making so many friends along the way.”
