A FURNITURE store in Blackrod has announced its closure more than four decades after it opened.

Speaks of Blackrod revealed it was holding a “genuine” closing down sale earlier in January and will be shutting its doors for good later this year.

The shop was set up at its Church Street home in 1973 and will have been operating nearly 44 years by the time it closes.

Manager Phil Hurst, who has been working there for more than 20 years, said the owners have decided to retire and put the shop up for sale.

The 44-year-old said: “It is quite sad because the store has been going since the 70s and I have been here for more than 20 years. It has been my life since I left school.

“It’s been an important part of my life so it’s going to be a sad day with the final closing of the doors.”

Mr Hurst said the store had enjoyed a successful run but, like many businesses, had struggled in recent years.

But he said the loyal customers from Blackrod and the wider Bolton area had helped to sustain the company through the difficult times.

“We have had customers who have been coming for years, some of them for as long as 30 years. I have known many of them myself in the time that I’ve been here and a lot of them have become my friends.”

He said one loyal customer bought nearly every item of furniture she owned from Speaks and said her living room must look like “a Speaks of Blackrod showroom”.

Mr Hurst added: “A lot of people have been coming in to commiserate and some of them feel sorry for me and ask what I’m going to do next.

“When people react like that, you know you have been doing something right. Nobody is glad that it’s going. It’s been really nice to hear all the positive comments.”

According to Mr Hurst, there is no definite date set for when Speaks will close as it depends on when the building is sold.

But he said the store will remain open until at least the end of February.

He added: “We really do appreciate everyone’s custom over the years.

“The number of customers who have been coming in time and time again is ridiculous and they have kept us in business. So I would like to say a huge thank you to them.”

More information is available at speaksofblackrod.co.uk