Family business leaves Earlestown market 'with a heavy heart'

With Earlestown boasting one of the oldest working markets in the country, one of the longest-serving families on the market square has been the Isherwoods, with four generations selling a variety of flowers, toys, and home goods for more than 100 years.

Although Earlestown used to be the family's "flagship stall", a combination of low footfall and what the business claims to be a "lack of council support" has led business owner Bob to leave the stall after 63 years of working there.

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Bob has worked at Earlestown market since he was 13-years-old (Image: St Helens Star) While many markets have struggled with the rise of online shopping, retail parks, and more recently the cost of living crisis, Earlestown has particularly struggled to attract the same levels of customers as it did in its heyday.

This is one of the reasons why the council has submitted £28m plans to regenerate Earlestown, and provide a modern market space with room for indoor and outdoor traders, but after years of struggles, Bob and the family are not convinced that the plans will deliver significant change.

Bob, 76, said: "I've been a trader all my life and worked at many market stalls, but every time the council or a developer messes with the market, they mess it up.

"I don't think they need to spend this much money on doing the market up, they should leave it how it is but listen to what the traders tell them and advertise it as much as possible.

"It's very emotional for me because the business has been in Earlestown for more than 100 years and it used to be buzzing. You couldn't walk in a straight line across the market because it was so busy.

"But recently, we have been taking two vans early in the morning and making no money, so after talking about it and talking about it, we have made the very hard decision to close the stall."

Bob's decision is due to declining footfall and a perceived lack of support (Image: St Helens Council) In addition to the declining footfall in Earlestown, one of the other reasons for the family's departure has been a perceived lack of support from the council.

Despite the regeneration plans that are set to transform the square, the 76-year-old said he rarely sees any council official to discuss his concerns.

While there have been meetings, Bob feels that his suggestions to improve things, concerning regeneration plans and present-day struggles, have not been fully taken on board. These suggestions involved an increase in advertising and an improved parking offer, Bob said.

The market square is set to be transformed with a canopy and indoor and outdoor trading space (Image: St Helens Council/ ECF)With the family explaining that their decision to close the stall was made with a "heavy heart", Bob and the family have been inundated with messages to thank them for their years of service; highlighting how important the business has been to customers, the market, and the wider community over the years.

"I feel very sad that we have had to close the stall because my family has been here for more than 100 years, and my father even fought to save the market back when there were plans to replace it", Bob added.

"It wasn't just one decision [to close the stall], it was an accumulation of things but I think it shows we have been doing something right with the amount of messages we have received.

"I just want to say a huge thank you and best wishes to all the people who have used our business over the years in Earlestown."

Describing himself as a "trader at heart", Bob and the family will continue to operate their market stall in Chorley and Great Homer Street in Liverpool, and their business can also be found at their permanent J.R. Discounts shop in Walton.

Lots of work has been going on behind the scenes to prepare Earlestown's regeneration plans, the council said (Image: St Helens Council/ ECF) In previous statements regarding Earlestown's regeneration plans, a spokesperson for St Helens Council and ECF, said: “Our proposals will provide a better environment for traders and shoppers, helping to support and grow Earlestown’s historic market long into the future and encouraging more people to spend time in the town centre through the ability to host events all year round.

“The first of the applications necessary for the market-led regeneration of Earlestown was submitted to the council's Planning Department in December 2023, with a total of six public consultation events held late November to early December, all of which helped to inform the detailed planning application.

"There is lots of work going on behind the scenes with this multifaceted programme of regeneration."

The council has also pointed to the results of its "extensive consultations" with the public, business owners, market traders, and stakeholders, which showed that more than 90% of respondents supported the initial Levelling Up plans.

A comprehensive parking survey has also been undertaken to inform a new parking structure at Earlestown's market square.