The Upper Crust in Rickmansworth closing after ten years

The Upper Crust, located at High Street, Rickmanworth, is open for its final day today (February 25), as it nears 11 years since being open by August.

Mandy McDonald said she had “no choice” but to shut the place offering sandwiches and hot food, pinning the lack of footfall on people working from home and the high street being closed off to vehicles.

The barrier at the junction of Rickmansworth High Street and Northway. Credit: Phil Soskin

After the pandemic struck in 2020, Hertfordshire County Council decided changes were needed in Rickmansworth town centre to make social distancing easier – resulting in shutting the high street to drivers between the junction of Northway to the junction of Station Road at certain times during the day.

Following a survey, the council decided to extend the trial for another 18 months.

The owner however has said that the decision is “killing the high street” and plays a “key element” to the lack of footfall in the town centre.

“They don’t want to park up in the car park and walk down,” she said, adding that elderly customers may find it difficult to walk up the hill at the high street.

A social distancing sign that was placed at the hgih street. Credit: Phil Soskin

She added: “It’s just a shame that all the little shops are going to end up closing.

“In the business sense, it’s killing the High Street. There are people in Rickmansworth who do like it, but people who run businesses absolutely hate it.”

The owner said “it’s more than a sandwich shop” explaining that over the years she has met “such lovely people” who come in and make a small order but stay half an hour for a chat.

“When your business is only 30 – 40 per cent down, you can only carry the business for so long,” she concluded.