The end of an era - Caroline and Jerry Cartwright to hand over the Lower Heswall Village Shop baton to new owners

After 20 years being the heartbeat of Heswall Lower Village, the proprietors of the Village Shop in Lower Heswall have decided it is time to move on.

Jerry and Caroline Cartwright have put the business up for sale.

The importance of the Village Shop can't be overstated. It is a throwback to another age when shopkeepers were an integral part of the communities they served, on first name terms with many, while respecting older customers with a little more formality.

When combined with the other shops, hairdressers, the Lower Village garage, church, community centre, cafe and pub, it's clear Lower Heswall has something special to offer and to protect, and everyone who knows the Village Shop will hope it endures and continues to play its important role in the life of the area.

Explaining the decision, Caroline Cartwright said: "We love the village and our customers. It's been an absolute pleasure being here, but Jerry and me aren't getting any younger and what's more my hip is not so good.

"It's a job which means you have to be on your feet and on the go most of the time and I'm finding it more and more difficult. And we also thought to ourselves that perhaps now is the time for someone younger to take over and keep the shop going and even have some new ideas."

During the pandemic the Village Shop has been a Godsend for many. It was impressive to see how quickly the Cartwrights placed socially distanced chairs outside in which older folk could wait their turn, while the delivery service Jerry and Caroline established at the same time was well used and warmly received by many.

In strange times it has remained a beacon of reassurance. People find the place comforting.

When the business is sold Caroline hopes to stay involved with the community.

"At the moment I'm not sure how," she said, "but even though we're ready to give up the shop, I'm not ready to say goodbye. I will make sure I find some ways of making myself useful and keeping in touch with everyone and everything."

I'm sure there are many of us who would like to thank the Cartwrights for all their hard work and good humour, and wish them all the very best for the future.