TOY shop owner Stuart Andrew has thanked his customers for their loyal support as he quashed rumours that the business could be closing.

Hal Whittaker Ltd in Princess Street has been in Stuart’s family for 50 years after his dad Ken, who is now aged 93, bought the business.

Stuart runs the 70-year-old business with his wife Vikki, and acknowledged that last year, and particularly the Christmas period, had been difficult.

He also acknowledged the increasing influence of online shopping, and is looking to develop the business’ website among a series of plans to boost trade.

Stuart said: “There has been a lot of speculation recently about Hal Whittaker closing down - this is not the case.

“2019 was a very difficult year for us, and Christmas was a total non-event.

“It is very obvious to us now that we cannot rely on footfall in the shop alone; people’s busy lives are increasingly channelling them online.

“If we are to survive and keep a bricks and mortar shop in the town centre for people to use we are going to have try and move with the times.”

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Stuart is working on improving the business’ website, as well as plans for Click and Collect, free local delivery and a gift-wrapping service, and a loyalty scheme in the longer-term.

He added: “Please bear with us, and I hope once operational you will support us in this new venture. I would like to thank everyone for their continued support.”