Lilac Tree Interiors: Preston shop fears closure as owners make heartfelt plea to customers
Lilac Tree Interiors said they were concerned a lack of visitors would force them to close their doors.
A local shop which boasts “the only shed with a chandelier in Preston” has launched an appeal to keep its doors open.
Lilac Tree Interiors has been serving the people of Walton-le-Dale for over a decade, and has long boasted a selection of knick-knacks and rarities not found elsewhere in the town.
From their base within the Holland House Garden Centre, on Higher Walton Road, the pair sell a variety of gifts, furniture, and a range of home décor, much of which has been “preloved” and “reloved” into new pieces.
But after ten-and-a-half years in business, owners Sarah Lucas and Lisa Gildert told the Post they were “genuinely worried” for the future of their store - and that they feared being yet another independent Lancashire shop forced to close its doors.
“We want our place to be a go-to place for gifts, cards, and pieces of furniture that you wouldn’t find anywhere else,” Lisa said. “Recently, it’s been a little bit quiet.”
Earlier this week, the pair launched an appeal on Facebook, which they hoped would see more customers come in to explore.
They said: “Things are tough. Footfall is down, costs keep rising, and some days we're simply not seeing enough customers coming through our doors.
“The truth is, we really need your support.
“We're not asking anyone to spend money they haven't got. We know times are difficult for everyone.
“But if you love having independent shops in your community, please help us keep them here.
“We don't want Preston and its surrounding towns and villages to become places where independent shops are just a memory.
“We want Lilac Tree to have a future. But we can't do it without you.”
Lisa and Sarah said they were concerned that the closure of Lilac Tree Interiors would be just another blow to Walton-le-Dale’s independent business scene.
If it were shut down, it would follow the closure of the six-year-old Taps and Wine bar last year, which also boarded its windows due to a lack of footfall.
As a result of the appeal, the pair said that they had seen an uptick in the number of people coming in to visit, including customers who had never stepped inside Lilac Tree Interiors before.
But, they hope that more visitors will mean a longer lease of life for Lilac.
“You don’t need to buy anything from us, you can just come and browse,” Sarah said. “A share means a great deal to us, and it’s free.
“We do feel that independent shops across the board are suffering, not just ours.
“Independent shops are the heart of the community, and if people don’t use them, then they’re going to lose them.
“That heart of the community is going to go.”