Nautical clothes shop to close but German kitchen company is moving in

A SHOP in Henley selling nautical heritage clothing is closing after nearly three years.

Quba & Co in Bell Street, which sells sail-cloth jackets, clothing, bags, homeware and accessories, is holding a closing down sale.

The shop moved into the former Montpelier Interiors shop in the summer of 2022 but closed after 18 months of trading.

Quba & Co was founded in Salcombe, Devon, in 1996 and now has more than 22 shops across Britain.

Paul Carey, the town centre manager, wrote a report to the town council’s town and community committee in which he said that Henley had a retail vacancy rate of five per cent for February and March.

Meanwhile, a German kitchen showroom is set to open in Duke Street in the former Cara Shoes site, which closed in 2022 due to increased running costs.

Kutchenhaus, founded in 2004, is Europe’s largest kitchen manufacturer and the shop will showcase bespoke German-engineered kitchens with three displays.

Plans were submitted in March by C Kitchens to redecorate the existing shop front and install new signage to the Grade II listed building. Changes include repainting the exterior in matt black, non-illuminated new fascia board signage and a frost effect which would be applied to the interior of the existing glass.

However, speaking at a planning meeting, Councillor Michelle Thomas opposed the use of the black paint, which would coat the whole of the shop front, including the doors and panels.

She said: “I really hate the black. They’re painting everything apart from the window. Even the letter box is going to be black. It’s going to look awful on that street. Under the cover of darkness, I’m going to paint a different colour on it.”

Planning officer Jodie Rhymes said the heritage officer had no concerns over the decoration before Cllr Thomas replied: “Perhaps the heritage officer is colour blind.”

A design and access statement by Heritage Fusion said: “This retention of the existing traditional, but not historic, shop front protects both the building and the conservation area’s visual and functional character.”

Tyrone Church, owner of Kutchenhaus Henley, said he was looking forward to the venue opening. He said: “We’re very excited to open this new showroom space and bring beautiful German kitchens to the area. I’ll be working alongside my partner so there will be a family feel to the business and the showroom is really taking shape.

“We will have three fully working kitchen displays and appliances. We’re looking forward to welcoming people through our doors soon and talking to customers about how to achieve their dream space.”

The committee recommended approval of the redecoration plans. South Oxfordshire District Council will make a final decision by May 6.