Lancashire fashion retailer hits back at 'malicious' closure rumours

Joseph+Co, based at 54 North Road, Lancaster (LA1 1LT), has strongly denied claims it will shut its doors, insisting it is "here for many more years" while taking legal advice over what it says are "entirely unfounded allegations."

In a public statement shared on social media, the retailer said: "Despite malicious claims to the contrary, we are not closing, and we are not retiring.

"We are aware of the origins of these entirely unfounded allegations.

"These false allegations have the potential to cause serious reputational and commercial damage, and we are taking legal advice."

The business reassured customers it remains fully operational, adding that new Autumn/Winter 2026 collections are due in store soon.

The statement drew support from locals, who praised the retailer's place at the heart of the community.

One joked: "I don’t know what I’d do if you closed, you are not allowed to retire!"

Another added: "A stable, quality trader on the Lancaster map, we need to support these independent businesses as they are the past, present and future of our high streets."

Whilst one user wrote: "Thankfully the claims haven’t reached my ears.

"Superb local trader with top quality clothing, I look forward to being a customer for many years to come."

North Road, Lancaster (Image: Google)

Behind the independent retailer is owner Paul Cusimano, who has roots in a family tailoring tradition stretching back generations.

As written on the retailer's website, his story began in 1958, when his father Riccardo Cusimano and uncle Salvatore travelled from a small town near Palermo, Sicily, to Carlisle with just £10 each and no English.

Both were trained bespoke tailors and had come to work for fellow Sicilian Giuseppe Seminara, who had founded a successful tailoring business in the city.

While Salvatore later moved to New York to set up his own shop, Riccardo remained in the UK, eventually settling in Lancaster in 1967, where he opened a tailoring shop on Sun Street and worked until his retirement in 2004.

Paul, one of three sons, recalls spending hours as a child watching his father at work.

"I would be fascinated looking through his fabric pattern books, imagining what each fabric sample would look like made up into a suit," he writes.

"Seeing him chalk out patterns and cut cloth – it was like watching an Old Master paint."

He earned pocket money shortening trousers as a teenager, but said his father discouraged him from becoming a tailor.

Instead, Paul began working at Joseph+Co under then owner Joe Corris, initially balancing a Saturday job with office work before moving into the business full time.

In 2010, he took over the reins.

"Sewing something together is easy enough," he said.

"But understanding the body form and how a garment should fit to complement the person is much more difficult.

"I never became a tailor, but I had a bespoke tailor as a father and mentor."

Now, with more than a decade at the helm, Mr Cusimano says the business remains committed to its future in Lancaster despite recent speculation.

"We would like to reassure our customers and fellow businesses that we remain fully committed," the company said.

"Thank you for your continued support and loyalty – we're here for many more years."