Last updated at 20:37, Thursday, 05 July 2012

Maryport's K&A bargain store is to close next month.

Owner Ann Marr, 44, formerly of Workington, has moved to Blackpool and will close the Senhouse Street shop at the end of August.

She said the move to Blackpool had made her decision easier, but business rates and falling sales would have eventually forced her out of business.

She said: “It has been a real struggle recently. I have a large shop and the rates are just terrible. I can’t afford it. People don’t want to spend in the present climate.”

Mrs Marr has been in business in Maryport for six years.

She opened a second shop, Kanda, selling bags, clothing and accessories but closed that after a year because of high rates.

“It became too expensive to run two shops so we combined them,” she said.

K&A has been selling household goods, toys and novelties at low prices.

Mrs Marr said: “I used to say I could sell ice cream to Eskimos but now I don’t think I ever want to sell another thing. I am hoping to get a job as a carer in Blackpool.”

She was one of the town’s businesspeople instrumental in reviving the Maryport Traders’ Association about four years ago.

First published at 19:21, Thursday, 05 July 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk