It'll be lonely this Christmas

Maureen Jones is closing her Uppermill shop Seasons Christmas after over 30 years trading, due to retirement.

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THE High Street in Uppermill could be looking slightly less festive this Christmas, as a much-loved family-run shop is closing down after 30 years.

Maureen (77) and Alan Jones (82), who live in Moorside, first opened Seasons Christmas at the Alexandra Craft Centre in Uppermill, in 1986 before moving to its present-day location in the High Street in 1999.

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But now Maureen has decided it is time to shut up shop and take it easy. Her vibrant and larger-than-life window displays have attracted both local people and tourists, who kept going back for more.

Though it is mainly a Christmas shop, Maureen also sells Yankee Candles ­- a leading brand of scented candles - as well as dressing the shop according to different festivities in the year.

"The first Christmas shop I came across was in Colorado Springs," explained Maureen.

"I knew instantly I wanted to do that. I used to make Christmas decorations when I was a child.

"We have collectible Santas and animated animals which bring people to the shop. It's only a small shop but it's unique. In the shop we get tourists and families.

"I do wedding trees, a Valentine's Day tree, a Mother's Day tree ­- you name it I've done them."

Maureen's granddaughter Natalie Kols publicised the news on her Facebook page, which received dozens of messages from happy customers, as well as those who remember her from her dancing days.

Maureen's life has been as colourful as her shop. She used to be a dance teacher at the Lyceum in Union Street, after training at the The Marianne Jepson's School of Dancing, on the same street.

Alongside her daughter Gillian, she ran the First Steps dance school in Diggle until last year.

The shop will be closing some time in autumn and a closing down sale has already started.

Maureen added: "I'm going to miss the shop in a big way. Whether it will continue as a Christmas shop is all pie in the sky. A lot of people are saddened to say the least. But nothing is forever and I've enjoyed it."