26/09/2026
With incredible sadness — and for many of you, perhaps confirmation of what you already know — we would like to advise that Sunday, 4 October will be our last day.
More than two years ago, our landlord, through a technicality, refused to renew our existing lease. The subsequent offer simply isn’t viable.
We have explored every avenue possible to try to ensure Stratford could retain a general store, but sadly, to no avail. The experts we have consulted agree that the current offer on the table makes the business unsellable.
With no other option, we have made the devastating decision to close.
We are very aware of the impact this will have on our community, and that only compounds our sadness. We tried.
The last 26 years have been some of the best years of our lives. Thank you to all our loyal regulars. Thank you for the welcome, thank you for the support, and thank you most of all for the laughs.
And to everyone who has worked behind the counter over the years — including those who practically grew up there — thank you. You’ve all been part of the story.
There have been so many memories, so many wonderful times and, perhaps, a few too many parties. We were pretty loose in the early days. 🤣
We’re not going far, but before we go, we have one last request.
Please come by this week.
Say goodbye. Have a chat. Tell us how much you’re going to miss us.
And, most importantly, buy something.
Seriously.
Help us clear the shelves, the fridges and the stockroom. If you’ve ever thought, “I really should support the local shop more,” well… this is your moment.
That’s the best way you can support us now.
And finally, there’s only one way to finish this properly.
One last shebang.
Join us for drinks next Sunday afternoon from 3pm and let’s send off the Stratford General Store in the way we know best — with a drink, a laugh, a few stories and probably someone saying, “Remember when…”
Come and raise a glass with us for the final hurrah.
26 years. Stratford General Store. What a bloody ride.
Thank you for being part of it. ❤️
