The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
One of Spalding’s best-known and longest-established independent retailers is to close.
Welec, which specialises in cameras, binoculars and telescopes, has announced that its final day trading will be December 31.
With the lease on the New Road shop coming to an end, business owners John and Jean Wellband, who are both in their 80s, are taking the opportunity to retire and travel more.
The move comes after almost 50 years in the town for the retailer.
It was established in 1967 within the showroom of EH Wellband Ltd in Pinchbeck Road, which was then the Vauxhall Bedford main dealer. It specialised in in-car entertainment and Sony 9in televisions for caravans.
Within three years the business had become so successful that town centre premises were sought and in 1970 it moved to New Road and became Welec Hi-Fi.
The biggest sellers at that time were home entertainment systems from Sony, Bang and Olufsen and Technics. In time, the trend for huge speakers and stereos was replaced by mini systems and the business gradually moved in another direction with the increasing popularity of cameras. The store, which has always been known for its expert advice, then changed its name to Welec.
The impending closure means an uncertain future for the three other members of staff – Nadia Halgarth, Sally Hunt and Wendy Heanes.
At the moment they face redundancy but John (82) would love to see the business kept going.
He said: “I’m very able to pass it on to someone. The rent is quite reasonable and it’s in a good location with lots of parking nearby.”
Spalding town centre manager Dennis Hannant is also hoping the shop is given a new lease of life.
He said: “It will be sad to see them go, particularly as they have given such long service to the town.
“Hopefully they will get another person in to continue with the business, or indeed bring in another independent business because if we lose them all it’s going to be bad for the town.”
