Blyth town centre shop that announced closure will stay open after new owner found

The owner of ImpressU Joanne Trewick had announced on social media that the shop would close due a decline in footfall attributed to Market Place construction work, the closure of Keel Row, and the growth of online shopping.

It will now be staying open under the new ownership of Mohammad Walid, while Joanne has rebranded her Facebook page to Roobies Fashion and Gifts.

The 58-year-old from Blyth said: “I am just going to wind down for a little while but I just wanted to keep my Facebook page going, and I will be selling some slightly different stock than Mohammad’s got in the shop.

“I am going to give him as much support as I can because I would love to see my shop go on. I would love to see ImpressU carry on for years without me.”

Mohammad decided to take over the shop as his contract at his current job will soon run out, he is “positive” that the town centre is a good place to run a business.

He said: “When people come I always ask them what they want and what they expect because I am new. I am totally new to this.

“I am trying to have people in mind.”

He added: “I always give priority to the customers. Anything they say, I will always respect, and I go according to their views.

“I will make sure to put 100% effort into making this happen and to make customers happy.”