One of Ilkley's oldest shops will be downsizing to ensure its future in the town.
Established in 1937, Mortens based on Cunliffe Road will be closing its housewares, kitchenware & bathroom departments in the coming weeks. Its hardware departments will continue with an expanded products stocked in home and garden.
The Mortens Facebook profile made the announcement on Saturday morning:
"We have made the extremely difficult decision to close our housewares, kitchenware & bathroom departments by the end of May.
The good news is we will be carrying on as normal in our hardware departments, where we will continue to offer a first-class service with an expanded & unrivalled range of products for your home & garden.
We have not taken this decision lightly but feel this is the best option to ensure our future presence in Ilkley.
We would like to thank our loyal customers & wonderful staff for all your help & support over the past 75 years. We look forward to continuing to welcome you to Yorkshire’s Famous Hardware Store for many years to come.
Thank you."
Mortens has received many comments of support from customers following the announcement including:
Monica Mary Little said: "Excellent you are continuing and thank you for all your help over many years, wishing you every success."
Steve Walther posted: "Very sad to hear that. I use your store precisely because you’re local, extremely helpful and that you sell everything under the sun. Am sorry you’ve had to make this decision yet totally understandable in these times. I will continue to support your hardware department."
"What a shame" Wendy Mcquillan posted, "the homeward department is excellent I will miss it! Thank goodness you are keeping the hardware offering in Ilkley, it's second to none."
Sarah Jenkins: "Ah your shop is fab. Hope you’re keeping those colourful washing up bowls." Mortens replied: "we'll be keeping some of them but if we haven't got the colour you want we will still be able to get it for you."
Another long standing Ilkley business, Olicana Stationery and Print, permanently closed it doors for good a few weeks ago.