A vintage sweet shop has bid farewell to Horwich after opening its doors three years ago following a downturn in business.

Grandad Jim's Traditional Sweet Shoppe has been trading on Lee Lane since October 2019.

One of four shops under the Grandad Jim's umbrella, the Horwich store has failed to recover from the effects of the pandemic, and has suffered from a lack of footfall since, the owners have confirmed.

In a statement on social media on Saturday, co-owner Kat Dickinson said: "It is with deep regret and sadness I have to announce the closure of our Horwich store with immediate effect.

FIRST LOOK: Inside the new vintage sweet shop opening in Horwich this weekend

"Many many stores have closed this year in the Horwich area due to lack of footfall.

"We stuck it out as long as we could but it is now time for us to move on to pastures new."

Kat, who owns the chain alongside her husband Andy, says that despite the bad news they will be looking for alternative locations in the new year.

There are also plans to revamp one of their other stores in Leyland.

She added: "To all our Horwich customers over the past three years I want to say thank you.

The Bolton News: Andy and Kat Dickinson with at their Horwich store celebrating its first anniversary in 2020Andy and Kat Dickinson with at their Horwich store celebrating its first anniversary in 2020 (Image: Newsquest)

"Thank you for your continued custom and support. If there was a way we could continue there we would but sadly it's just no longer viable."

The other three shops will contine to trade as normal, and Kat says they are "flourishing".

Old-fashioned sweet shop celebrates first anniversary in Horwich 

Kat and Andy opened their first shop in Leyland in 2012, naming it after Andy's own grandfather.

The family business was born after Andy left his former job in a bid to persue something different.

Along with Leyland, there are also stores in Chorley and Wigan, so fans of Grandad Jim's can make the short journey to one of those outlets.

Kat says that she is unsure at the moment whether there are any outstanding orders but will be incontact in due course.

She added: "Please remember to shop local if you can. It really does make the biggest difference to small business such as ours and we remain as always eternally grateful.

"Farewell for now Horwich, hopefully we shall meet again."

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at lewis.finney@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @lewisfinney18