A Bold Street institution is set to close its doors for good. Fancy dress shop Smiffys is a family business with 130 years of history in the costume business.

The bright red shop front has been a popular fixture on Bold Street for many years. RH Smith, which trades as Smiffys, went into administration in June this year, and was subsequently sold to global fancy dress company Ad Populum LLC.

Joint administrator Jane Steer, of PwC, said at the time: “Smiffy’s is a popular brand that has been operating in one form or another since 1894, but sadly, like many other retailers, it was impacted by the after effects of the pandemic.”

Smiffys is set to close the doors of its Bold Street branch tomorrow (Saturday, November 9). Posters reading “closing down, everything must go” can be seen in the shop’s windows, with up to 75% off all remaining products.

RH Smith was founded in 1894 and became the leading fancy dress, Halloween and carnival manufacturing company in the UK, distributing nearly 7,500 products to over 2,000 stockists around the world. Smiffys on Bold Street sells costumes and accessories for special occasions including parties, school book days, stag dos and hen nights, charity fundraisers, festivals and more.

Administrators said the Leeds-based business, which owns shops in Liverpool, Newcastle, Leeds and Headingley, was “significantly impacted significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic which saw a huge drop in demand for costume and party products.”

Following the news the company had entered administration, a Smiffys spokesman said: “Following four extremely challenging years as a result of the pandemic, the subsequent supply chain crisis, and the ongoing inflationary burden on both businesses and consumers, Smiffys was required to take the difficult decision to file a notice of intention to appoint administrators.

“Smiffys will continue to trade and fulfil orders as normal during this time, and we would like to take this opportunity to thank our talented Smiffys team and loyal customers for their ongoing support.”

The ECHO has approached RH Smith for comment.