Bookshop closes

Jim Dobson, who owns the Leisure and Pleasure shop at Leyland Cross, Towngate, said his shop would shut because of sewer work being done on his doorstep.

North West Water started work in November and this has led to difficult access and bad parking meaning less customers - hitting business hard over the festive period in particular.

Mr Dobson, 59, said: "This has ruined a business we have spent 29 years building.

"We were given a council assurance that there would be no work until the New Year and then we were fenced in in November. We had a disastrous Christmas. We are left with bills we cannot pay."

Mr Dobson's wife and business partner Linda has returned to a career in teaching and one other member of staff has had to be laid off.

Now, after almost 30 years the shop is set to close. Mr Dobson said: "I'll have to look for a job. I'm not quite retirement age yet."

South Ribble's Highways Chief John Dalton said: "Council officers reported to him a timetable they had been given. NWW then changed that programme." A North West Water spokeswoman said: "He was told the work would be done.

"We have paid Mr Dobson an intermediate payment of compensation and are looking at more."

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