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A 71-year-old iconic handbag retailer has recently closed several of its stores. Lakeland Leather, which first opened in Cumbria in 1955, has closed four of its locations across the country, including one in York city centre. Located at 2 Stonegate, the branch has now closed its doors after 37 years. A source at Felldale Retail, which operates stores for Lakeland Leather, previously said: "Like many retailers, we are operating within an increasingly challenging trading environment, with rising costs and lower footfall continuing to impact parts of the high street."

The York branch store has now closed, and a notice has been placed in the shop window giving a "heartfelt farewell" to customers. It reads: "With a heavy heart, we are closing our York store due to the ongoing economic challenges faced by small specialist retail groups such as ours.

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"We want to thank you, our wonderful customers, for your loyalty, friendship, and support over the past 37 years. York has truly meant the world to us.

"Whilst it's time for us to leave York, you can shop with us online at lakelandleather.co.uk and visit one of our other retail and concession stores."

A spokesperson for Felldale Retail said: "Following a period of consultation, we have taken the difficult decision to close our York store, with the final day of trading expected to be in May.

"Despite exploring a range of options with the store team, it has not been possible to identify a sustainable way for the store to continue trading in its current form."

Lakeland Leather is a long-running British leather clothing and accessories retailer best known for leather jackets, handbags, sheepskin coats, belts, and footwear.

The company started in Ambleside in the Lake District in 1955 and still positions itself as a specialist in leather craftsmanship and sourcing.