Times are changing for Crossley Spare Parts

A shop which has been at the heart of the city more than four decades will close on Easter weekend.
Newspaper: Wakefield Express.
Story: Kevin Crossley - owner of Crossley Spare Parts in Wakefield, is retiring from the family business 40 years. Pictured: Kevin & Carol Crossley.
Reporter: Michael Muncaster.
Photographer: Andrew Bellis.
Photo date: 29/02/16
Picture Ref: AB074a0216Newspaper: Wakefield Express.
Story: Kevin Crossley - owner of Crossley Spare Parts in Wakefield, is retiring from the family business 40 years. Pictured: Kevin & Carol Crossley.
Reporter: Michael Muncaster.
Photographer: Andrew Bellis.
Photo date: 29/02/16
Picture Ref: AB074a0216
Newspaper: Wakefield Express. Story: Kevin Crossley - owner of Crossley Spare Parts in Wakefield, is retiring from the family business 40 years. Pictured: Kevin & Carol Crossley. Reporter: Michael Muncaster. Photographer: Andrew Bellis. Photo date: 29/02/16 Picture Ref: AB074a0216

Crossley Spare Parts has been providing parts and accessories for the district’s household appliances since the 1970s.

The family-run business started with a stall on Wakefield market in 1976.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In 1982, it moved into number five on The Springs and later moved to its current location at number 20.

Newspaper: Wakefield Express.
Story: Kevin Crossley - owner of Crossley Spare Parts in Wakefield, is retiring from the family business 40 years.
Reporter: Michael Muncaster.
Photographer: Andrew Bellis.
Photo date: 29/02/16
Picture Ref: AB074c0216Newspaper: Wakefield Express.
Story: Kevin Crossley - owner of Crossley Spare Parts in Wakefield, is retiring from the family business 40 years.
Reporter: Michael Muncaster.
Photographer: Andrew Bellis.
Photo date: 29/02/16
Picture Ref: AB074c0216
Newspaper: Wakefield Express. Story: Kevin Crossley - owner of Crossley Spare Parts in Wakefield, is retiring from the family business 40 years. Reporter: Michael Muncaster. Photographer: Andrew Bellis. Photo date: 29/02/16 Picture Ref: AB074c0216

Owner Kevin Crossley said: “We started off next to the AA box in the market and then onto The Springs.

“Then when we moved shop to where we are now, instead of using a vehicle, we decided to use a wheel-barrow, so we had all the family carting stuff back and forward.”

Over the years, the shop has become well-known for its extravagant window displays, including figurines made from spare parts and a bicycle display during the Tour de Yorkshire.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In 2013, it also won the best customer service prize in the Wakefield Retail Awards.

Story about Crossley Spare Parts for an article on Wakefield Retail Awards. 
Pictured: Kevin and Carol CrossleyStory about Crossley Spare Parts for an article on Wakefield Retail Awards. 
Pictured: Kevin and Carol Crossley
Story about Crossley Spare Parts for an article on Wakefield Retail Awards. Pictured: Kevin and Carol Crossley

But whilst, Mr Crossley has many fond memories of running the shop he said that now is the time to close it.

He said: “It’s the right time for my wife Carol and I to retire.

“My wife is the one that’s kept everything going in the background.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s very sad but times are changing, everything’s going online now.”

Hazel Heppenstall from Crossley's Spare Parts, The Springs, WakefieldHazel Heppenstall from Crossley's Spare Parts, The Springs, Wakefield
Hazel Heppenstall from Crossley's Spare Parts, The Springs, Wakefield

The spare parts shop will also be going online with the help of Mr and Mrs Crossley’s daughter Hazel Heppenstall, who is currently running the shop and, has been responsible for creating its unique window displays.

Mrs Crossley said: “It’s the end of an era and it’s very sad but we would like to thank the people of Wakefield who have been very good to us.

“We want to thank everyone for supporting us.

“We’ve met some right characters over the past 40 years and it’s been wonderful. Our customers have been very nice to us.”

Newspaper: Wakefield Express.
Story: Kevin Crossley - owner of Crossley Spare Parts in Wakefield, is retiring from the family business 40 years.
Reporter: Michael Muncaster.
Photographer: Andrew Bellis.
Photo date: 29/02/16
Picture Ref: AB074c0216Newspaper: Wakefield Express.
Story: Kevin Crossley - owner of Crossley Spare Parts in Wakefield, is retiring from the family business 40 years.
Reporter: Michael Muncaster.
Photographer: Andrew Bellis.
Photo date: 29/02/16
Picture Ref: AB074c0216
Newspaper: Wakefield Express. Story: Kevin Crossley - owner of Crossley Spare Parts in Wakefield, is retiring from the family business 40 years. Reporter: Michael Muncaster. Photographer: Andrew Bellis. Photo date: 29/02/16 Picture Ref: AB074c0216
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The hard-working couple, who have another daughter, Claire Bell, are now looking forward to fitting some more holidays into their lives.

Mrs Crossley said: “We just want to enjoy every-day life, go on a few holidays and spend time with our grand-children.”

Crossley Spare Parts will officially close on Saturday March 26.

To find the shop online, visit www.crossleyspares.co.uk

Related topics: