Maling’s shop to close

Press, 24 April 1986, Page 5

Maling’s shop to close

Changes in the liquor industry lay behind the decision of the wine and spirit firm, Maling and Company, to cease trading at its Gloucester Street premises from May 30, said Mr Sam Maling, a company director. Trading at the Gloucester Street premises had not been profitable recently, said Mr Maling, whose great-grandfather founded the company 113 years ago. He said the site was no longer suitable as a drivein liquor outlet, and the industry had changed to become a "margins busi-

ness,” requiring large quantities to be stored and sold. The Gloucester Street site had suited the older sort of liquor trading in which personal service was more important, he said. Mr Maling said the possibility of opening a new liquor outlet was being considered, but no decision had been made on the future of the site. Mr Dave Hughes, the company’s manager, said 15 staff members would be affected by the closing, but a number had already found other jobs.