• Swindon & Wiltshire Retail
• Monday November 24 2025

146-year-old retailer Knees announces it is winding down

One of Wiltshire’s oldest businesses has announced it is winding down its retail operations.

146-year-old retailer Knees will cease trading on January 31, 2026.

On its website, the company posted today (Monday): “This has been a carefully considered and heartfelt decision.

“Our team has been dedicated to bringing quality home and electrical products to our community for generations, and we are incredibly grateful for the loyalty, trust, and support shown by our customers throughout the years.”

Our store will remain open during the transition period and existing orders will be honoured throughout the wind-down process, the company assured customers.

On Facebook, the company said H J Knee Ltd would continue to trade as an engineering business based in trowbridge, along with a property portfolio.

The Trowbridge-founded retailer sells home furnishings and electrical appliance.

In 2022 the company moved to the White Horse Business Park as part of an evolution into a “digital first” business.

Earlier this year the company was given the go-ahead to convert its HJ KNee Department Store HQ, at 26 Fore Street, into flats.

In 2023 its Malmesbury store closed its doors for the final time.

Knee’s Ironmongers & Manufacturers was founded in 1879. It sold a variety of household goods.