Iconic Tavistock business announces closure after 30-year association with town

A local home living store has announced it will close its Tavistock shop at the end of February 2026, in an announcement shared on the shop’s Facebook page.

Lawsons, which acquired the Tavistock store in 1992, will close its doors in just over a month’s time, ending an over 30 year association with the West Devon town.

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Managing director Liz Lawson, the great grand-daughter of company founder Tom Lawson, said the decision had been “extremely difficult” and “has not been made lightly.”

The Tavistock store has been operating since 1992, and Ms Lawson, former manager of the Tavistock shop, said efforts to sell the branch had been ongoing for several years.

“The business has been on the market for two years and I have not found someone suitable to continue the business as a going concern” she said.

Despite the Tavistock store’s closure, Lawsons’ confirmed its other shops in Ivybridge and Totnes will remain open and continue trading.

The post also revealed the store’s building at 1 Parkwood Road has now been sold, with Ms Lawson confirming it has been purchased by Julian Foye the Furnishers of Cornwall. 

Julian Foye the Furnishers is a long-established, family-run furniture retailer, founded in 1862, with several large showrooms across Cornwall and a range of home furnishing products and services.

She said: “This will be Julian Foye's first showroom in Devon where they hope, after a period of refurbishment, to open the doors and extend a warm welcome to their customers.”

Reflecting on the shop’s history, Ms Lawson said Lawsons had been “proud to serve the community with quality products, friendly service, and a welcoming atmosphere.” 

She described the shop as “more than just a business” and said it had become “a part of countless local stories and milestones.”

Ms Lawson also paid tribute to staff, saying: “The most painful aspect of this is losing our close colleagues.” 

She described the team as “the beating heart of this shop” and thanked them for their “dedication, warmth, and hard work.”

Thanking customers for their support over the years, she added: “It has been an immense privilege to be part of the Tavistock community for the last 34 years… we will miss you all.”

Local residents expressed their sadness of Lawson’s closure in the comments of the post.

“I know that you will be missed greatly. A lot of my home has Lawson's 'bits' in it… I wish you all the best for a more restful future,” read one, while another said: “Honestly gutted to lose you. Lawsons is among the last of a dying breed: shops that can be trusted in selection and quality. Wishing you and the Tavi Lawsons staff the best for your futures.”

Customers will still be able to shop online and at the Ivybridge and Totnes stores after the Tavistock closure.