‘Sadness for the community’ as Feniscowles local shop closes

Feniscowles Village Store & Post Office in Preston Old Road, will close today due to health reasons.

However, the shop's future looks secure as a new owner is primed to take over the reins.

Sharing the news on Facebook, the owners Henry Arnold, Rosie Hollings and Peter Hollings, said: “It's with a very heavy heart and due to serious illness that we have to announce that Feniscowles Village Store will be closing its doors as a convenience store on September 30.

Feniscowles Village Store & Post Office (Image: Facebook)

“We have been speaking to an interested party who is willing to take on the lease as a commercial venture which will include the Post Office.

“We will carry on running the Post Office in the short term to ensure a smooth transition.

“We would like to thank the wonderful people who have supported us and some amazing staff.”

Peter Hollings, of Feniscowles, took over the shop around two and a half years ago with his wife Rosie and Chair of the Livesey Parish Council, local businessman Henry Arnold.

Cllr Arnold took the shop on, allowing Peter and Rosie to run the store while he ‘managed everything else’ because he wanted to help support the community that he’s lived in all of his life.

He said: “It was going great, and we got a lot of expansion in the area but unfortunately due to health reasons, and with the current levels of business, impact of Covid and now the cost of living it’s just not sustainable to keep running.

“So unfortunately, that’s the hard decision we’ve had to make but it’s just one of those things. My main focus is Pete, because at the end of the day, his health has to come first.

“Everyone in the community has been so positive about it, we’ve received so many comments and lots of support on the post, because he’s a lovely, lovely guy.”

The grocery shop will be taken over by Tracy Reed, who is the owner of local furniture business Mad Chair Company.

“We are part of the community and I know the value of the place so I will do everything in my power with Pete to keep that post office there,” Cllr Arnold said.

Councillors for Livesely and Pleasington, Paul Marrow and Mark Russell, shared their thoughts over the recent announcement.

Cllr Marrow said: “It is with sadness that the residents of Feniscowles have learned about Pete’s illness after bringing back to life, after a lot of hard work, the Village Store and post office and turning it back into a much-used community asset for the area.

“The shop sits alongside other local independent traders in a small parade of shops, and this has brought back a vibrant village feel to Feniscowles.

“I am sure everyone is pleased that the Post Office is going to remain and there is local interest in another business taking over the shop.

“I am sure I speak on behalf of everyone that we all support Pete’s decision to put his health first and wish both himself and family all the best for the future.”