DECEMBER will see the closure of one of Enniskillen’s newest and most popular town centre shops.
The traditional sweet shop Sweet Memories, based in Belmore Street, will have been trading in the town just shy of two years when it closes up.
“Our lives are gone anyway. It’s just not worth it. We’re not here for a hard time,” the shop proprietor told the Fermanagh Herald.
In the past number of months he says a campaign of intimidation led by a number of individuals has left the shop owners feeling that they have ‘no choice’ but to shut up shop and last week that eventuality came one step closer as they made a public announcement.
A statement posted on the business’ social media page read, “Due to unforeseen circumstances we have decided that on the 31st December we will cease trading. This decision was not made lightly but because of external pressures, we have no choice. Thank you for all your custom and support.”
Since the post was published the shop owners have received numerous calls of support from customers and fellow business owners.
“People have phoned me and told me that they can’t believe these things are happening to us. I’ve had messages of support from customers who are offering to do a whip round to help keep us in business, but this is not financial.
“People are saying our closure is due to the economic climate. It’s not, we’re in credit with our suppliers. We work with wholesalers Shaws and a comment from them that shocked me was, ‘you’re going through more sweets than Barry’s in Portrush’.
“This shop has been doing very well. Our whole idea in opening it was to build something for our daughter. We were going to run it until she was old enough and allow her to take over after she finished school.”
However, these plans to build a future business for their young daughter have since been scuppered. “I’ve been called ‘scum’ and ‘trash,’” said the shop owner adding that the family have had three cars damaged in less than two years. In one incident the damage was so great that the car was irreparable, he says.
“We’ve already decided that when we close any remaining sweets will be donated to a local autism charity that we have previously worked with. The proceeds from sales can go to their charity funds.”
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