A HISTORIC Blackburn toy shop has announced plans to close – with bosses citing a lack of footfall as the main reason.

Mercer’s Toys moved to Darwen Street in January 2009 after the former Mercer’s store in Northgate, which had sold toys, hardware and household goods in the town for 169 years, closed.

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Rose Fowler, owner of the store, said she was being forced to call it a day because the shop was no longer financially viable, with turnover having dropped by 50 per cent over the last two years.

She said it had become difficult for many of her customers to access the premises with road closures, road works and diversions on Jubilee Street.

Mrs Fowler said: “It’s just been so very quiet on Darwen Street. It has been hard with all the building that’s been going on and the road works for people coming in to Blackburn from pretty much any direction.

“I’ve put a lot into the business in terms of money and time. This has been a very hard decision to make. I really don’t want to do it, but it’s turned out that I have to. I feel I have no other option.

“It started when the Boulevard bus station moved from where it was over to the market site on Ainsworth Street. That was the first decline in figures.

“Last year they closed Jubilee Street off just before Christmas for all the building work on the new hotel which made it very difficult for customers to get to us.

“They have changed the direction of the road on Jubilee Street so now traffic only runs to the Boulevard but it doesn’t run through the market side.

“Traffic coming from the train station side also goes around the back of Bridge Street instead of continuing and coming past us.

“Changing the traffic flow on King Street also made it more difficult for people to get into town and also saw the demise of businesses over there.”

Mrs Fowler, who worked at the toy shop at the old Mercer’s for 17 years before setting up shop in Darwen Street, said her business rates relief was due to end soon meaning that she would have to pay an extra £2,500 a year on top of the £700 she pays every calendar month.

She also blamed a lack of parking in Darwen Street and the rise in popularity of internet shopping for the downturn in fortunes.

The decision to close the business was officially announced yesterday, but the shop will remain open until late September to give Mrs Fowler time to shift remaining stock.

“I have had a few customers in today and they said it’s very sad news,” she added.

“The council has known for a long time about Darwen Street and how isolated it has become.

“They keep saying that the Cathedral Quarter and the hotel will bring people in to town, but only time will tell with that one. It will be too late for me.”

Councillor Phil Riley, executive member for regeneration, said: “We are sorry to hear that Mercer’s Toys has decided to close as they are an asset to the town centre. We are happy to meet with any businesses to offer our support and help where we can.

“The many changes we see around us are a concerted plan to bring new business and opportunities into Blackburn town centre. The new Cathedral Quarter will bring new visitors and prospects to the town.”