Priced-out phone repair shop closes
APHONE repair shop in Southport has closed after almost 18 years in business, because it was “losing money each day.”
Rupert’s, in the Wayfarers Arcade, permanently closed its doors on Tuesday this week.
The shop owner, Rupert Paton, announced the news of the closure earlier this month.
He said: “Thank you to all my customers, friends and staff over the years for all your purchases and support and good times!
“It’s been a rollercoaster of a ride.”
Reasons contributing to the closure include a lack of footfall and an increase in mobile phone repair shops.
Rupert explained: “The reason I am closing l i ib is because my shop h is no longer profitable and in fact having to pay the high rents, I am losing money each day and have been since January this year.
“There are several factors that have caused this downturn in business but the main one is that a succession of independent mobile phone shops recently have just sprung up out of nowhere, h offering ff i fi fierce competition.
“Other reasons for closing are governed by a general downturn in retail trade generally and an ever-increasing internet shopping presence that shows no signs of coming back to the high street.”
However, Rupert still intends to offer the services provided at the t store, such as phone repairs, sales, s unlocking and accessories, via v a door-to-door service.
He added: “I plan to now go mobile and pick up and drop off at my customers’ convenience and have all the facilities of my shop and access to mobile phones, accessories and unlocking.
“The repairs and screen replacements will happen promptly in exactly the same manner as they were in the shop with a team of engineers to support when necessary.
“Unfortunately, I was not able to transfer my shop number to my Southport workshop but I can be contacted anytime on 07947 472846 or via Facebook searching for Rupert Paton.”