A ’great old established’ Manx electrical firm has suddenly shut for business and is in the process of liquidation.

The sad news was revealed by Samantha Byers, wife of Waltons boss Robert Byers.

She said: ’On behalf of Waltons TV, I am deeply saddened to confirm that we are currently in the process of liquidation.

’Robert Byers will provide an official announcement on the Waltons (Facebook) Page in due course.

’We sincerely apologise for the lack of information and updates due to a few technicalities. Thank you for your understanding and support.

Mrs Byers revealed the news in a post on Facebook.

A printed notice on the closed doors of the store at Cooil Smithy on the Isle of Man Business Park starkly announces: ’Closed until further notice.’

And around the side of the premises about 30 wide-screen television sets have been left outside on the grass in a pile.

They include big names such as Panasonic, Sony and Samsung.

People who log on to the Waltons website at Waltons.com are met by the message: ’Service temporarily unavailable.’

On the Waltons Facebook page there is the following message: ’We are sorry to announce we are currently closed. This is to minimise costs while we assess and consider options.

’A further update will follow soon.’

The message was posted on June 1.

Concerns are mounting among customers who have also praised the customer service at the business.

Waltons has nearly 50 years’ experience selling goods such as televisions in the island and when it was first founded in the late 60s it was first in Athol Street, Douglas, and dealt with rented TV sets, and built up a reputation for its customer service.

Nearly a year ago managing director Robert Byers told Isle of Man Newspapers that it was very much business as usual for the company which operated from premises in Peel Road, Douglas, before moving to the prominent site on the business park at Braddan, which is seen by drivers on the busy main road outside Cooil Road.

The business had temporarily been put on the market earlier last year after Waltons said it was looking for new owners and welcomed fresh investment into the firm.

But then Mr Byers said: ’The directors took Waltons off the market in June (2017). I am very pleased to say this great old local business will be around for a long time.’

Followers of the social media site expressed their concern after the June 1 Facebook post.

One wrote: ’Very sad news. Got my TV from you last year and service was brilliant. Fingers crossed for you’

Another said: ’This doesn’t sound good. I bought a TV from them earlier this year and they were so helpful, Robert was brilliant and price wise they were great too. I hope they get something sorted.’

And one follower sent this message: ’I always try to go to Waltons. Great service and a great range of stuff available right there.’

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Mr Byers told Isle of Man Newspapers in his previous interview he had been with the business for around 22 years and said it was ’taking a little time to get everything just as we want it’.

Waltons used to be based in Strand Street, Douglas, before moving to Peel Road.

In a section on social media called ’Our Story’ it is said: ’Our company was originally founded by Mr Walton in the late 1960s. The days of TV rental, a time when frequent repairs and adjustments were needed. Some of our customers still recall the store on Athol Street.

’Over the next 50 years we became known as Waltons Television and we moved to Strand Street, then Peel Road. Now you will find us in the Isle of Man Business Park, just off Cooil Road, and online at Waltons.com.

’Technology has changed over the 50 years and we have always ensured we stay at the very leading edge. You would have found LCD and 3D first in our store.

’We are the only local store with Wallpaper OLED televisions in stock and on demonstration.’

, the same can be said for the 75" Samsung Flagship Q9.

’We have the Samsung QLED 8K on order and plan to be one of the first in the UK with an 8K TV, and we didn’t order just one.

’We are committed to providing the best prices, best available stock, the latest technology, best product knowledge and the very best local service. In fact we are the only Isle of Man service centre for all the major TV brands.’

The company has faced more competition in recent year, most notably when PC World/Currys opened.