Northwich trader to close shop after five decades serving town
Saeed Madani said he is to shut up shop at Xavier Mobile on or around Saturday, May 30.
By Chester Standard
A long-serving Northwich trader is preparing to close his town centre shop after around five decades serving local customers.
Saeed Madani, 75, said he expects to shut Xavier Mobile on or around Saturday, May 30.
He has had a trading presence in Northwich for around 50 years, including about 25 years at his current site on what is now Apple Market Square.
Mr Madani said the closure is not because the business has failed. He said trade remains strong, but other pressures have made it difficult to continue from the current location.
Those pressures include upcoming work around Weaver Square, limited toilet facilities near the shop, and the cost of alternative premises in the town.
He told the Northwich and Winsford Guardian that he had looked for another unit, but available rents were around two to three times more than he felt was sustainable for a small business.
He said some of the cheapest options were more than £1,500 per month, which would make it very difficult to keep prices affordable for customers.
Mr Madani, originally from Iran and now living in Newton-le-Willows, first became known locally through watch repairs before moving into mobile phone repairs.
He previously traded at Northwich and Winsford markets before establishing Xavier Mobile in the town centre.
Over the years, he has also been helped by his daughter, Layla Butler, and her husband, Jack Butler, although they are now busy with a new-born baby.
Speaking to the Northwich and Winsford Guardian, Mr Madani said there had been good days and bad days, but he was grateful because there had been many more good days than bad.
He said he could not thank the people of the town enough and would “really, really miss them”.
News of the closure has prompted warm messages from customers, with one describing the shop’s service over the years as “outstanding”.
Another said the business had provided “amazing service” for many years.
One former worker also recalled getting their first job on Mr Madani’s Northwich Market stall around 1980, thanking him for being “the best”.
The closure will mark the end of a familiar independent trading presence in Northwich town centre.
For many customers, Xavier Mobile has been more than a repair shop. It has been one of those small local businesses built on trust, regular customers and personal service.
The planned closure also highlights the wider pressures facing independent town centre traders, especially when redevelopment, rent levels and basic facilities make day-to-day trading more difficult.