Popular party shop ‘U-Need-Us’ set to close down
After 97 years of supplying Portsmouth locals with all types of fancy dress, U-Need-Us is set to shut its doors for the last time.
U-Need-Us first opened at 108 Arundel Street in 1923 by William George Searle, and then moved to their current position at no.30 a few years after.
Manager Steve Searle took over from his father and currently runs the store with his family.
Mr Searle said: “Every time we see a store closing everyone blames the internet, but it's actually not that simple.
“If you want people to shop in the high street, you have to provide them with an experience.”
The shop stocked a wide range of fancy-dress items, from costumes to inflatables and board games to card games.
Portsmouth locals, who did not want to be named, said that they will miss the personal touch that the store provided along with top quality goods.
They continued: “We’ve been coming regularly since our son was little and he is now 38.
“We’re just really sad to see it go.”
Mr Searle predicts the remaining stock to sell out by the end of April, which is when the shop will close.
U-Need-Us is another shop that has been affected by the growth of the internet in recent years.
Share with us in the comments your memories of the store, and your thoughts on the challenges that face the high-street.
