CUSTOMERS of a 70-year-old family business are devastated as the shop has closed its doors for good.

Woolsey Cycles, a bicycle shop in Acton, London, served its final customers yesterday (September 28), having been operating since 1955.

1

The shop was known for its personal touch and was beloved in the area.

It was run by Malcolm Woolsey and his father Roger, relations of Donald Woolsey, who originally bought the shop.

Malcolm announced the news of the sad closure on Facebook in July.

He said: “After three generations of our family and the shop owner before that, the time has sadly come to move on to pastures new.

“We would like to thank our customers, both old and new, for their continued support over the years.”

He went on to give a heartfelt thanks to the shop‘s longest serving employee, saying: “We would like to thank our staff members that have come and gone over the years, but mainly to David.

“He has been working in the business for 27 years and at times running it.

“During Malcolm’s two prolonged sick leave periods, David ran the shop single-handedly and without him involved we’re not sure how we would’ve coped.”

He added: “We have seen many changes over the years, both in life and in bikes with many memories made and laughs over the years, many of which we can thank our ongoing customers for.

“The occasional gifts we get show the true appreciation from you and means so much to us. The shows of kindness and support during the pandemic were especially well received.”

The post was flooded with comments from disappointed customers mourning its loss.

One read: “Very sorry to hear this – David and Malcolm were always incredibly helpful and offered the best advice on bikes.”

Another said: “You’ve always been brilliant and will be much missed. Much luck for whatever comes next.”

A third person wrote: “70 years of serving the local area around Acton, end of an era Malcolm.”

Yesterday, a poem was uploaded to the shop’s Facebook page, titled “THE END OF AN ERA”.

It began: “The end of an era, and of our time, each moment has changed us, and will help us climb.”

The family has not yet explained the reasoning for the closure, which may be related to the uptick in online bike sales.

The news comes as several other shops have also closed their doors to customers.

This week, a B&M branch in Warrington announced its closure, while a Poundland store in Berkshire also closed just a year after opening.

High streets across the UK have suffered from decline over the past decade.

Since 2018, 6,000 retail outlets have brought down the shutters, according to the British Retail Consortium.

The trade association’s chief executive Helen Dickinson OBE blamed the closures on “crippling” business rates and the impact of coronavirus lockdowns.

How do I know which side I own?

A boundary feature can be a fence, wall, hedge, ditch, piece of wire, or sometimes even just the edge of a driveway.

The only way to know for certain who owns what side and to avoid any neighbour disputes, is to refer to the title plan or Land Registry. 

In this, the T mark is used to indicate who the boundary belongs to and therefore who is responsible for its upkeep, say pros at Jacksons Fencing.

Larger developments tend to have some indication provided by the builder, but there are no hard and fast rules

People often think they are responsible for the left (or right) hand boundary wherever they live, but there isn’t any legal basis for this.

You can check with HM Land Registry to see which boundary feature you are responsible for.

Often households can’t get hold of the paperwork but experts say they shouldn’t panic.

Homeowners can guess who owns the fence by checking where the rails are.

Pros say: “The fence is typically facing away from their property so that their neighbour gets the ‘good’ side. 

“This is the most secure way of facing fencing so there are no rails for anyone to use to climb into your garden. 

“This is then repeated with the neighbour on the other side to ensure that each home has both a ‘good’ and ‘bad’ fence side.”

Walls and fences are often built on the land of the boundary’s owner with the edge of the wall marking the limit.

While professionals agree a glimpse at the fence can give you a hint, it’s not foolproof – so you can’t be certain.

Fines and punishment

It is recommended to always check legal documents before making changes to avoid hefty fines.

There is no law that the neighbour has to get the good side of the fence, so it’s completely up to whoever owns the fence. 

Fencing pros have suggested: “It may be worth selecting a double-sided panel with no ‘bad’ side as both sides look the same and rails are concealed within the fence panel.”

If one boundary backs onto a road or footpath you can install the panels with the rails on the inside

But if it’s installed on the outside, it can provide an “easy ladder for burglars to enter your garden”.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Property Litigation Association have created a mediation service to help neighbours resolve disputes over their property boundaries without resorting to court action. 

RICS also provides a list of surveyors who could assist in boundary disputes.

If a dispute continues, it is ultimately a court that makes decisions, but they do not like such disputes being put before them.

Changing a boundary

If you want to change an existing boundary, such as replacing an old fence with a new one, we always recommend discussing with your neighbour first and making sure it is all agreed.

The registered titles can help you to reach an agreement, but only if this information has been added.

In terms of decorations on a fence legal advisers recommended asking around over who actually first installed it.

But they also urged caution before getting to work on amending the fence without getting more certainty yourself – since there is a danger of actually being prosecuted for criminal damage.

How high can a garden fence be?

The height of the fence is measured from your ground level, this can have an impact when, due to slopes in the ground, your garden may be at a higher level than your neighbours‘.

A garden fence can be as high as 100m but you need to get planning permission if it’s over than 2m.

However, there are some complications to this.

If you are thinking about front garden fences, restrictions state that fences alongside a driveway can be a maximum of 1m or 3ft.

You would need to get planning permission for putting a trellis on a fence of 2m.

But, if any plant that you grow on that trellis exceeds 2m, you do not need to obtain a permit for the growing plant.

A BUDGET retailer with 750 stores is set to close a beloved branch in hours – but it’s not all bad news for shoppers.

Customers were saddened to learn their B&M will be pulling the shutters down in Cockhedge Shopping Centre, Warrington, tomorrow.

1

But, bargain hunters will be pleased to hear the site, located off the A49 near Cockhedge roundabout, is being re-vamped.

A B&M spokesperson confirmed the store is closing to make way for a  “bigger and better” one.

The new and improved branch can be found at a former Wilko location in Warrington’s Golden Square Shopping Centre.

Staff welcomed customers in on Saturday, two days before the Cockhedge Shopping Centre store is set to close.

The handy schedule meant locals haven’t been temporarily left without a shop in the area.

A B&M spokesman said: “We wanted a bigger and better store for our customers, giving them even more big, branded products.

“We hope customers are going to be delighted with their new store, and we are really excited to get the doors open very soon.

“We are feeling extremely positive about the creation of more jobs or local people, and we hope customers are going to be delighted with their new store.”

It’s not the first time B&M has shut older stores in favour of opening bigger stores at newer sites.

In June, the discounter closed its store at Units 51-52 in the Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre in Oldham.

However, just days later, it was replaced by a bigger shop at Units 9-10 in the same retail complex.

It comes as the discount retailer announced in January it would be opening 17 new sites in 2024.

The industry giant currently has around 700 stores but has a long-term target of 950 sites.

Back in May 2023, B&M announced plans to open 30 new stores in the UK over the past year, including some relocations of older sites.

However, the retailer is taking things a step further this year with several former Wilko stores in its hands to play with. 

B&M bought up 51 Wiko sites in a £13million deal in September 2023 when the beloved retailer fell into administration.

To open some new sites B&M has had to restructure its portfolio and this has meant some stores have closed.

The retailer has closed ten of its stores since February 2023.

SAVE MONEY AT B&M

The B&M barcode scanner app allows you to find discounted items before staff have even reduced them.

The scanner can be found on the B&M Stores mobile app, which you can download for free on your smartphone from the App Store or Google Play.

Once you’ve dowloaded the app, click the “scan” button at the bottom of your homepage.

This will bring up the camera on your smartphone, which you’ll need to use to scan barcodes. 

When you’ve found a product you want, simply point your smartphone camera toward its barcode.

The app will then automatically bring up the price – this is when you’ll know if it is reduced or not.

Bargain hunters say some items come up as £1, 50p or even 10p through the app.

Shoppers should also keep an eye out for products with a white reduction sticker on.

This means they will have a certain amount slashed off the price shown on the label.

Shop for products at the end of the season.

Get friendly with staff too.

They’ll be able to tell you when the sales will hit, or if there are bargains out the back – so you get the best bits.

SAINSBURY’S have issued an urgent recall urging shoppers to “not eat” two products over allergy risks.

The Yorkshire Provender Jacket and Toast Topper Mexican Inspired Lentil Chilli and the Yorkshire Provender Jacket and Toast Topper Haricot Beans in a Spicy Tomato Sauce have been recalled due to health concerns.

1

SHOPPERS are racing to their nearest Home Bargains to buy £4 Polar Express slippers in time for Christmas.

A savvy bargain hunter shared the discovery on Facebook to alert others of the deal.

1

It was uploaded to the Christmas Finds UK group.

The post read: “The Polar Express Slippers From £4 At Home Bargains.”

Group members were quick to weigh in with their opinions on the bargain find.

One wrote: “Get yourself to home bargains.”

Another said: “Got these and the pjs.”

Others tagged their pals and said that they “need these slippers”.

Do bear in mind that when prices are reduced it’s usually in order for stores to clear excess stock, so availability will vary from store to store.

It’s always best to phone ahead to your local shop to check what they have available to avoid disappointment.

You can find your nearest Home Bargains store using the locator tool on the website.

It always pays to compare prices so you know you’re getting the best deal.

Prices can also vary day to day and by what deals are on at the time, plus remember you might pay for delivery if you’re ordering online.

You can compare prices on platforms like Google Shopping.

How to save money at Home Bargains

Knowing when to pick up products is one way to save money at Home Bargains.

Visiting your local branch at the right time of day, week and year can help you pick up bargains from as little as 69p.

We spoke to Tom Church, a shopping expert who reveals the best times to visit the store to bag a bargain.

Also join any shopper bargain Facebook groups such as Extreme Couponing and Bargains, as people love to share the news when they have bagged a cheap deal.

Be sure to look out for seasonal stock too, like most retailers, Home Bargains slashes its prices after big public holidays such as Christmas and Easter.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

A WOMAN who lives on a 20ft micro narrowboat said she’s terrified it might tip over, but revealed a hidden compartment that keeps her safe.

Kat, known as Gentil Lentil’s Green Life on YouTube, shared an insight with her viewers about what it’s like to live on a small boat.

7

7

Advertisement

7

7

The content creator explained that she fears storms could tip over her 20ft micro narrowboat.

Fortunately, in the video, she revealed two compartments designed to help prevent it from tipping.

One of the compartments, located beneath her bed, contains a water pump that removes excess water from the bottom of the hull.

These are found on most boats and are an essential piece of equipment.

The other compartment holds weights, an anchor and extension leads which help keep the boat stable.

However, the YouTuber demonstrated how she can easily convert her living room into a bedroom, creating more space in the boat.

In the video, viewers can see her using two wooden slats placed between the two sofas on either side of the boat.

Once fitted, she adds three large cushions that serve as a mattress, followed by blankets and duvets to complete the bed conversion.

The content creator’s video has received hundreds of comments from viewers praising her transformation skills.

One user wrote: “That looks insanely cosy.”

“I wish I had thought about arranging the bed differently when I love in a two-berth caravan that is very much like your home,” commented another.

While a third said: “I love your narrow boat. I could happily live there.”

It comes after an artist shared what it’s like to live off-grid in a canal boat where she can save £600 a month.

Shannon Lane, 29, ditched her room in Clapham for a 30ft narrowboat which she cruises in with her pug, Gilbert.

She decided to move on the water after learning her landlord was raising the price of her rent to £1,000 a month.

The freelance artist and video producer took out a loan to buy a £24,000 narrowboat and now spends just £300 a month paying it off.

Ever since Shanon moved, her mental health has improved and she no longer suffers from “bad anxiety and depression”.

Nonetheless, the transition from bricks to a floating home takes adjusting to.

The Narrowboat community is a “tight-knit” community where everyone gets to know their neighbours.

Shanon regularly has neighbours introduce themselves whenever she “moors up” to a different spot.

However, she is always on the move because she doesn’t pay a mooring fee.

She told MailOnline: “It’s important to keep the canal system moving because it makes space for other boaters to enjoy different parts of the canal.”

Constantly being on the move could deter people when considering a life on water but it offers a chance to explore areas of London that would have previously been unaffordable.

Shannon can cruise up to Regents Park or Little Venice and pays a fraction of those living in houses there.

A major downside to living on water is the unglamorous job of emptying the toilet.

The video producer claimed the worst thing to do is leave it too late as the smell can be unpleasant.

She has a cassette toilet on her boat and has to wheel the sliding cartridge to a communal disposal area.

“You can imagine the smell,” Shanon added.

7

7

Advertisement

7