Marlies Kiens and her husband Jos are sorry to see Tombo Sport close. `Last year, we heard that this row of shops would be demolished. We could sign for a new space in the new Campagneplein building, but we did not want to. We would have to be there for at least five years, and that is very long. You have to work really hard if you want to keep up with the competition.'
Jos used to work as a sports instructor in the Sports Center. As a hobby his wife started the sport shop. `In the beginning, we were only open for a couple of hours each day, but that went out of hand,' tells Marlies. `It was a very good time. Next to our shop were a post office, a launderette and a supermarket.'
The Kiens have received many reactions from disappointed costumers. The only campus sport shop in the Netherlands, it has always been well frequented, says the owner. `Many sorts of people come here: members of the UT sport associations of course, but also non-students. Sometimes costumers just come for a little talk or a conversation over coffee. I'll miss that!'
