Two decades of costume hire and sale is due to come to an end, as Carnival House – based in Exmouth, UK – is closing its doors following a steady decline in business.
According to owner Mo McWilliams, a ‘wash-out’ Halloween in 2017 was the final nail in the coffin for the retail outlet. Trade had been slowly dropping off for the last decade, following the closure of a local college in 2008, which Mo says is ultimately what began the retailer’s slow decline.
“When we had the college it was brilliant; the place was heaving. But someone decided to close the college and it killed us stone-dead,” she explained. “Before that there were students in here every day, spending just a few pounds, but there were hundreds of them!”
Mo also blames a waning interest in fancy-dress in general, lamenting the trend of more people choosing to shop online.
“We used to hire out 500 costumes every New Year’s Eve, but, about three years ago, it all changed,” she explained. “So, in the end, we decided to get rid of the costumes and sell them off… I’m doing it all myself now and I’m not even making enough money for me.”
Carnival House is expected to close at the end of June.
