A Chester landlord has changed the locks at a city centre store specialising in traditional Indian handicrafts.

Karigarwala on St Werburgh Street has been forced to forfeit its lease after the landlords re-entered the premises.

A notice in the window of the store confirmed the landlord had re-entered the premises on Tuesday 27 October, stating "no person may lawfully enter on to these premises unless they have been authorised".

It said: "Karigarwala Ltd take notice that Trustee of the Joanne Lynda Griffith SIPP & Trustee of the Graham Richard Griffith SIPP the Landlord of these premises has today re-entered therein in accordance with his power to do so and as a consequence of such re-entry the premises have been secured.

"No person may lawfully enter on to these premises unless they have been authorised by the above Trustee of the Joanne Lynda Griffith SIPP & Trustee of the Graham Richard Griffith SIPP

"Any attempt by any person to enter these premises without the previous authority of brustee of the Joanne Lynda Griffith SIPP & Trustee of the Graham Richard Griffith SIPP Samani may amount to a criminal offence and result in prosecution."

A notice in the window of the store confirmed the landlord had re-entered the premises on Tuesday 27 October (Image: Nub News)

Owner Shubhangam Singh opened the Chester location as the brand's first flagship store in August 2025, born out of a desire to preserve and promote traditional Indian craftsmanship.

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Recognised as one of the '20 under 35 Emerging Designers of India', he cited the lack of similar stores in the city, believing Chester was a prime spot for the enterprise.

"We work basically just with artisans; everything is just handwork so we don't do machine work at any point", Shubhangam told Nub News last year."

At the core of Karigarwala's concept, he explained, was championing the local artisans who fail to get recognition or a platform for their work.

"We work with different artisans - around 1,700 to 2,000 artisans back in India, Rajasthan, all around," Shubhangam added.

"They're working directly with us and we make the products. These are very contemporary pieces, but with a touch of tradition."

Karigarwala has been approached for comment.