Pony Express Closing After 43 Years

Published on: 22 Feb, 2019
Updated on: 23 Feb, 2019

By Hugh Coakley

Pony Express, the clothing shop in Bridge Street, is closing after 43 years trading in Guildford.

Owner Cousin Malde is 80-years-old said that it was time for him to retire.

He said: “All of my friends retired 15 years ago and I saw them go downhill. I decided then to continue but I think it is the right time for me to retire now.”

Closing down sale at Pony Express in Bridge Street after 43 years in Guildford.

Shish Malde, Cousin’s son, who has worked in the shop for many years, said: “Hundreds of people have come in to say that they are sad to hear that my dad is retiring and that the shop will be closing.”

The shop first opened in 1976 in Market Street. It moved to The Quadrant in Bridge Street in 1990 and then to the current shop in Bridge Street in 2001.

“The business has had its ups and downs,” said Shish, “but it has been steady.

“We have seen all of the fashion trends here. From American jeans, which was where we got the Pony Express name, to punk, emo, goth and hip hop. We even had grunge here which was quite big about 20 years ago.”

Customer Terry Cousins, said: “There aren’t any other shops like this in Guildford. You have to go up to Camden Town in London to find something similar.”

Cousin Malde with his son, Shish, who has worked in the business for many years.

Shish said that he felt that it was a good time for him to take a break and look at a new direction for himself, but there was a bit of nostalgia there as well.

The last trading day for Pony Express will be Tuesday, February 26 (2019).

The Guildford Dragon NEWS asked Cousin what his plans were once the shop closed. Cousin said: “Just take it easy. I’ll see how things go.”