Debbi Pitt has been in touch with the news that Ann’s Florist has closed after trading in Hoylake for over 40 years. Debbi says she can longer compete with rising overheads (including the rates rise) and the might of the supermarkets. The shops propietors Ann Hegg, Gillian Howlett (nee Jones), Debbi Pitt say:

We would like to thank the Hoylake community and all customers for supporting us over the last 40+ years. We will miss you all, that includes customers local, far and wide.  We understand that the current economical climate has made everyone tighten their belts and blame no one, but wish to thank all our customers from over the years and wish Hoylake all the very best for the future.

Today, Threshers Wine announced a further 381 store closures and the Market Street shop is included in the closure list (visit the BBC for further information about the closures). According to the closing down list available from this page the Hoylake branch is to close early to mid December.

A few years ago there were two Thresher Wine shops in Hoylake – the other used to be next to Kristys Surprise card shop.

I went along to the public debate about our local shops last Tuesday at Melrose Hall. There was a reasonable attendance; the meeting was started by Jackie Hall (Hoylake Residents Assoc) who had invited Esther McVey along to contribute. Whilst Esther McVey is a candidate MP for Wirral West, her attendance was non-political, I gather her work involves her consulting upon marketing strategies.

Local councillor Gerry Ellis offered his views about what Wirral Council does/can do to promote Hoylake.

Residents, local business owners, shop-keepers and bar owners attended. I gather that there is a local chamber of trade but a last minute emergency stopped their spokesperson attending.

I took some notes and publish them here only for discussion rather than for a record of the meeting. I’ve tried to break them down into groups. These points are not my own opinions – I’ll comment after you have!

Shops, Bars & Offices

1. Empty premises should at least be made to look more inviting
2. Having offices in Market Street still brings visitors to Hoylake
3. There could be a market for conferences in Hoylake but there needs to be more facilities
4. If local bars are not able to stay open later then people will go to either West Kirby or Heswall – adversley affecting the local economy
5. Perhaps multiple businesses could share costs and rent a building such as the empty Jon David building.
6. We need a supermarket to attract shoppers
7. We need more specialist shops to attract shoppers
8. We need an upmarket store such as Waitrose to attract shoppers
9. There is limited accommodation for overnight stays
10. Local churches offer services such as refreshments, halls to hire to various events, etc

Transport & Parking

1. Bus services are poorly timed
2. It was pointed out we do have 2 train stations
3. Market Street parking is taken up by shop workers – it should be kept free for visitors
4. We do have a large free car park next to Hoylake station, but it’s never more than half full.
5. Car park in Charles Rd is taken up all day by train users who drive in from neighbouring villages.

Local Events

1. Lifeboat Day attracts visitors but the focus is the RNLI and not Hoylake.
2. Events on Market Street are needed to attract visitors to the shopping area.
3. Could Hoylake make more of the activities that occur on the beach such as para-karting, bird watching, horse riding and walking?
4. Could Hoylake have a regular market day?
5. Plans are being made for a Christmas Lights display

Next Actions

1. Volunteer locals to form a group to investigate ideas for promoting Hoylake
2. Local chamber of trade to also formulate ideas/plans

So there’s my potted version of some of the points raised – I’ll correct/update as needed.

But how about you? What are your thoughts, ideas and suggestions? Please do leave a comment below.

Sarjeants Chocolates is closing down and is currently running a clearance sale. I also gather that they have also closed their store at Carr Farm garden centre in Meols. Sad news really.

We received a letter in the post today from the company that operates the Jon David furniture store at 100 Market Street, Hoylake. It says that the shop is closing down and is having a final sale.

We’re evidently on their mailing list and as such we’ve been invited to the (invitation only) private sales that will be taking place next Wednesday and Thursday (13/14th May). The public sale then follows on the Friday through to Sunday. I gather the showroom will be now closed until next week in order that the owners can prepare the sale display. They indicate that £975,000 of stock must be sold.

The letter says that Molloys Furnishers Ltd are closing the Hoylake store (that was founded by Jon David back in the 1950′s) to focus on their other shops based in Southport and Lytham.

Happened to notice this morning that the plumbing business that moved into the old vets premises is no longer. In case you’re not aware, Hoylake Vets now resides in that big old, red-bricked house right next to the entrance to Queens Park on Birkenhead Road. 

As you can see from the photo the landlord doesn’t seem too pleased with matters! This business had fairly recently relocated from a shop a little higher up Market Street on the other side of the road.

On a brighter note, Island Electrical are now trading in the old Chas E Price shop that closed a month or so ago. They’ve even got a few household electrical items in the window. Some things never change – perhaps there’ll always be a kettle in that window!

Heritage Antiques, one of Hoylake’s antique shops is closing this Good Friday. There was a note in the window that read:

Heritage Antiques will cease to trade on April 10th, Good Friday, 2009. Mark (and Chester!) are ‘retiring’. Robert meanwhile is in negotiation for alternative premises in Hoylake. Thank you for all your support and I look forward to seeing you shortly. R Hudson.

A brief  bit of welcome business news.

My good mate Mike Mitchell who trades as Wirral Vans on the Carr Lane has mentioned to me that a new business has opened on Hoylake’s trading estate. Two mechanics who were made redundant when Road Range closed in West Kirby have opened a specialist Mercedes repair garage. So good luck to them with their new venture.

By the way, there’s a rumour that the now vacant Road Range site in Column Road has attracted interest from Sainsburys.

The Echo reports that a number of Max Spielmann stores have been rescued and sold on by the administrators – including the small store in Hoylake. I wasn’t aware that Spielmanns had gone into administration, were you? At least we’re spared an empty shop in Market Street at what is probably the quieter end of the shops.

Our local store can be busy on occasion but then it’s only a tiny shop so it doesn’t need many customers inside to be full. We’ve used it once or twice ourselves; to get passport photos of the children and for prints that we’ve wanted very quickly. Printing photos off at home is too much of a faff for my liking and we find it easier to get prints for grandparents, etc online. (Shameless plug: I publish a little site comparing free photo print offers.) Funny isn’t it …I love looking at my digital photos on my computer and don’t need prints, but my mum and dad always want to see physical photos. My sister even bought my dad a digital photo frame but he doesn’t have it switched on!

I know the camera shop in West Kirby has now gone (it’s an estate agents now) but does anyone know if you can get digital prints in Boots in the Crescent? I know that you can do that in bigger Boots stores, maybe the West Kirby branch is too small for that?

Anyways, judging by the photo, Barb is evidently pleased. Good for her!