Horwich gift shop Annalise Candles & Gifts is to close

Annalise Candles & Gifts will close on 21 May as co‑owners Anne Scott and Lisa Fernley leave the business, and the candle‑making side will become fully online.

The pair, based at the Cowshed complex, said the decision comes as their lives have changed, with Anne pursuing a new path in holistic therapies.

The well-lit and clean shop. (Image: NQ)

Anne said: “We’ve had 11 amazing years making candles and running the gift shop.

“We’ve built a lovely little community here. The girls next door, the Cowshed community, we’re all friends. It’s just a really nice place to be.”

The shop has already begun winding down, with stock selling quickly.

Anne Scott. (Image: NQ)

Customers have been emotional about the closure, with many regulars stopping by to share memories.

She added: “I only put up the sale on Monday, and it’s all disappearing quite fast.

“People come in, they tell us their life stories, and they become friends.

“We’ve got an amazing following, and we’ve worked really hard for 11 years to create what we’ve created.”

Candles have been at the forefront of the shop’s identity. (Image: NQ)

Despite the physical shop closing, the pair are confident the candle business will continue to thrive online.

Anne said: “We’ve got a good reputation. People order from all over the country – Scotland, Ireland, everywhere. So yes, it will still go on.”

Mugs and gifts are for sale. (Image: NQ)

Reflecting on the end of an era, she added: “We’re sad, but we’re excited for the future as well. We’re very grateful to everyone for supporting us over the years.”

The unit is now being viewed by potential new tenants, marking the start of a new chapter for the well‑known spot in Horwich.

Anne said the support they’ve received “shows just how special the shop has become”.