A homebrew shop in Exeter has closed after 17 years with the owners blaming a huge and sudden drop-off in customers.
Witches Brew, in Cowick Street, says an ‘unusually quiet’ period over the last six months has killed the business. Owner Katie Kendall says turnover has fallen dramatically and the shop, known for many years as Cowick Cookware and Homebrew, is no longer financially viable.
“It has just become too quiet,” she says. “Some days we are not seeing anybody and some days when we do the business is only taken £20. We simply can’t carry on.”
Less than 12 months ago business was booming, she says. Witches Brew, which specialises in homebrew kits but also jams and other kitchen gadgets, had its best ever summer.
“On the home brewing and jams side of things we’d had the best summer we’d ever had,” she adds. “Customer-wise it was looking good and we were thinking of expanding our range.
“But in December it suddenly went quiet. The Christmas before had been really good so we were a bit surprised. But it didn’t pick up in January and February.
“The only thing we could could blame was the weather. We had two months of storms and we blamed that for people staying away. Then there were the roadworks at Buddle Lane and the fact that I don’t think people have much money.
“A lot of the products we sell, while not luxuries, are hobby items. We have a massive customer base but they don’t come every day, some come once a year. If they choose not to come because they need to spend on something else then we really miss them.”
She says fewer people are visiting Cowick Street because of a lack of variety and no parking. Katie says many potential customers are choosing to shop online because the street is no longer a destination and is full of charity shops and takeaways.
Witches Brew on Cowick Street Exeter(Image: Wiches Brew)
“We were one of the last remaining homebrew shops around,” she says. “People come from everywhere. One guy came from a country I’d never even heard of, I presume in the Middle East, and bought over £100 of yeast because he couldn’t drink in his country. We’ve had people from all over the world. The amount of customers we get phenomenal but they don’t come every week.”
The shop was opened by Katie’s late father Ian Kendall and she took over when he passed away.
“He had a passion for cooking and homebrewing so that’s what he started to sell,” she posted. “In 2023 when he passed I took it over and I’ve had an amazing couple of years. New product lines, a new name, new look, fantastic business.. but the last six months it’s been very unusually quiet and it’s just killed us.
“We will miss the hustle and bustle of Cowick street and all the local people and other businesses surrounding.”
The shop is now having a massive sale. “Please come along and support us one last time – we have lots of bargains and reductions going on so make the most of it while we’re there,” says Katie. “We will be gone by the end of May. Thank you for your support over the years.”
There has been a reaction online to news the shop is closing.
One person said: “So sorry to hear this, an end of and era and and will be missed on Cowick Street, it’s always nice to have the local independent shops.
“I hope whatever you choose to do next will bring you much happiness.”
Another added: “I am sorry to read this. I remember your father very well; he was a lovely man. You have done so well keeping it open. Good luck with what ever you do next.”