Another business bites the dust as Aughton News in Formby closes down

Aughton News on Church Road in Formby have sadly closed down. They have left a notice on their window which says: "Aughton News is now closed. Thankyou to all our customers for your support over the last 10 years." - Paul and Sue.

This is devastating news for our community with so many closures in the last few weeks including The Bottle Tree off licence a bit further up Church Road, the Hop & Horn in Chapel Lane in October, MJ's across the bypass and the My Local on Chapel Lane.

Formby Bubble spoke to Sue from Aughton News who said: "There are a number of reasons for the closure, first of all, we have come to the end of our ten year lease and had to decide, is it all worth it? Do we want to sign for another ten years? We lost a lot of business when Waitrose started giving away free newspapers and coffee with a £5 spend and since the introduction of parking charges in Sumner Road, we and all the other businesses on our row of shops, have suffered a knock on effect with footfall due to lack of parking spaces because people are parking here to walk the village!"

A lot of people will be very sad to see them go, one customer said: "Paul and Sue have been great in this shop, you were always welcomed with a smile and a friendly chat, we will all miss them."

Times are hard right now in Formby with local independant businesses struggling with rent and rates to keep heads above water. Local businesses and residents have raised concerns over the fall in business in Formby, blaming the car parking charges which were introduced on June 6th this year.