The last remaining shop of a much loved family Rossendale business dating back more than half a century closed the doors on New Year’s Eve.
Adrian, 65, said: “One shop has been more than enough. Since 1969, it would have been 53 years in May next year. When we bought it, my father ran it as a swap shop, and people bought stuff to sell; he was a fisherman so he had a fishing tackle shop in it as well.
“The overheads just got too much. Luckily we were on a fixed term contract for energy, and were only just starting to feel the effects of the cost of living crisis, although that would have been a factor if we’d have carried on, so it was a case of jump before we were pushed. Claire Martin, his daughter, said in a post on Facebook on New Year’s Eve: “And so commences the last day of both 2022 and of trading for Watts News, which will close its doors for the last time at 12 noon today. My mum and dad, Adrian and Caroline Watts, would like to thank you all for your support over the years.