The announcement of two family businesses deciding to close has been met with shock and sadness by customers.

They are the Art Stores Ltd gift shop in Strand Street, Douglas, and Roller City entertainment venue on the Balthane estate in Ballasalla.

Roller City was described as ’the island’s largest indoor roller skating disco arena’.

A key figure in the venture, Stephen Woodward, told Business News the business had been a victim of the pandemic and he believed there had been a lack of support.

Mr Woodward was running the business with his parents Joan and Colin when the decision was made to close.

’It’s absolutely heartbreaking and upsetting for us’ he said.

The venue, which opened in July last year, has closed due to financial difficulties brought on by lockdowns during the Covid-19 crisis, said the family.

Mr Woodward said it ’would have taken a miracle’ to survive and said they reopened after the latest lockdown ’with a budget of zero.’

He believes more could have been done to help recreational facilities such as this that lost bookings because of restrictions.

He said the closure had been ’emotionally destructive’ for him and his family.

They had provided entertainment with ’lasers, disco glitter balls, smoke machines, the lot. We wanted to provide something that people of all ages enjoyed’.

The venue sent this message: ’Unfortunately Roller City has closed its doors for the last time. It’s with a heavy heart we say goodbye.’

People who used the venue left dozens of messages on social media. One said: ’So sad to hear this. Such lovely people, so warm and caring, such a good atmosphere. Will be greatly missed. Good luck for the future’.

Another pointed out that the ’timing, through absolutely no fault of your own, really went against you’.

lease

Meanwhile Art Stores owner Muir Michelson told Business News: ’I can tell you that the lease was up for renewal. We were offered a new lease but we decided on balance that we would not take up that option and that we would close.’

The Art Stores issued this statement on social media: ’After 28 years we have decided it’s time to close our doors.

’We will miss all our customers and we say a very big thank you for their kindness over the years.

’We have a closing down sale with 50% off all our stock. Come in and grab yourself a bargain.

’Our very best wishes to everyone who has supported us.’

The shop sells general gifts to suit all events and occasions, including birthdays, engagements and weddings.

One customer had this message for the gift shop: ’This is such sad news, been shopping in your shop for many years thank you for all the kindness that you and your staff have provided.

You will be missed so much by us all on the Isle of Man, truly a magical store.’