A family-owned business which has been serving the people of Bolton for more than 50 years is to close due to the rise in online shopping.

J Maher’s Garden and DIY hardware store on Lever Edge Lane opened its doors in 1973. The shop is now run by owners Barrie and Janette Maher, after inheriting it from Barrie’s parents, Rita and Jack Maher.

The hardware shop, which for decades was a cornerstone for the local community, has seen a sharp decline in sales since the pandemic which means the doors will now shut for good at the end of this month.

(Image: Leah Collins) It currently supplies allotment societies all over Greater Manchester, South Lancashire and Merseyside as well as bowling clubs, landscapers, schools, trade gardeners and nurseries.

The proposed ban on bagged peat composts by the end of this year has also been a “major blow” says owner, Barrie, as the businesses' “niche product” was a large range of peat-based composts.

(Image: Leah Collins)

Barrie said: “After Covid, the way of shopping changed, people are going to big brands. We even set up our own website, but we struggled to compete as the bigger brands will always be at the top of the search.

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“It’s like a depression over the whole country, people haven’t been to the store in the same way since before the pandemic.

“We’ve been here fifty-one years, people know us, and we have a great relationship with all our loyal customers, we know them by name and by sight.

“It’s upset a lot of people – since we announced the closure, the news has spread really quickly.”

Barrie and Janette currently run the store with their son, Jon, and five other members of staff.

(Image: Leah Collins)

Janette Maher said: “The staff weren’t stupid, they could sense that things were wrapping up. We’ve been scaling down for the past six months trying to shift our stock.

“We would’ve kept going if we hadn’t had to scale back, we always joked that we’d have to take Barrie out of here in a coffin because he’d keep going.

“Luckily, he’s an electrical contractor, so can continue with that after the store closes. It sold last week via auction, we’re not sure who bought the area or what it’ll be used for.

(Image: Leah Collins)

“The shop was a pillar in the community – my mum used to go dancing and the old blokes would always ask about the shop because they owned allotments, it was very much loved by people.

“We’re planning to use our retirement to travel the world and make new memories.

“We’d like to thank our loyal customers who’ve given us business over the past years. We’ve had some great customers and members of staff who’ve stayed loyal to us. They have worked to make the store what it was.”

Got a story?  E-mail me at Leah.collins@newsquest.co.uk