Major blow for pretty little UK seaside town as independent shop close down | UK | News
A popular independent party and balloon shop in a picturesque seaside town in England is set to close its doors next weekend, dealing another blow to the struggling high street. That’s Amore, on High Road West in Walton, will close on Saturday, February 28, with owner Sonia Mayes moving the business to Stonham Barns Holiday Park near Stowmarket.
Ms Mayes said the move would allow her to focus on the gifts and balloons side of the business as online shopping habits continue to change. The retailer is currently selling around £50,000 worth of party stock, including plates, napkins, banners, tableware and hundreds of balloons, at cost as part of a major pre-move clearance.
“The internet is killing stores,” Ms. Mayes said, explaining that customers are increasingly choosing to shop digitally rather than in person. He added that although he considered moving fully online, the opportunity to move to Stonham Barns came at the right time.
For now, customers will be able to order via the store’s Facebook page, but Ms Mayes said she valued the “personal touch” a physical store brings; Accordingly, he believes it is difficult to replicate online. East Anglian Daily Times.
The decision marks a significant change for the business owner, who has lived in Felixstowe for 53 years and describes the town as a big part of his life. “I needed something new that would give me a little bit of an opportunity to get up and go,” he said, acknowledging that business was starting to stagnate.
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Ms Mayes had previously opened a second store in Crescent Road, Felixstowe, in May 2023 but later consolidated all its operations into the Walton branch.
The move comes at a time when online shopping continues to grow and footfall is declining, with greater challenges facing independent retailers and local high streets.
Administrators were recently appointed to Stonham Barns Holiday Park, where the business was moved, following a winding-up petition from HMRC, although the debt was paid off in January. The park is home to more than 40 independent retail and entertainment stores that operate separately from the park’s main business.
The closure of That’s Amore has raised concerns about the future of small independent shops in coastal towns, while residents are increasingly worried about the loss of local businesses and community centres.
