Bookshop shuts after more than a century

Broadhursts of Southport opened in 1920

A popular independent bookshop has announced it will close after more than a century in business.

Broadhursts on Market Street, in Southport, confirmed it would cease trading with "immediate effect", adding "all booksellers have been made redundant".

The four-floor store in the town centre opened in 1920 and has been visited by famous figures including HG Wells, Rudyard Kipling and Johnny Cash.

"We are incredibly sad to announce the permanent closure of Broadhursts," a spokesman for the store said.

The reasons for the closure have not been revealed by Broadhursts, which has been contacted for comment.

'Great loss'

The shop's closure has led to an outpouring of grief from members of the public who counted it as their favourite local book store.

Some responded to the announcement on X to say the closure was a "tragedy", a "great loss to the town", and the "end of an era".

The bookshop is one of the oldest in the UK, having been established by Charles Kenyon Broadhurst in 1920.

Customers who want to claim refunds on deposits and on vouchers distributed by Broadhursts have been asked to contact the shop via email.