Heartbreaking decision for family as Morecambe gift shop closure announced

A family have announced they will be closing their gift shop in Morecambe town centre.

The Harrisons said they have decided to shut Same As It Never Was on Euston Road.

The shop, selling crafts, personalised items, work from local artists, vintage and pre-loved goods, had been open in the former British Heart Foundation premises since 2023.

"Unfortunately we’ve had to make the heartbreaking decision to close the shop," said a post on the Same As It Never Was Facebook page.

"Same As It Never Was will be closing down in the coming weeks as unfortunately we just can’t keep it going any more as it’s not been making enough to pay the bills for a while now.

"Not only that but we have other things going on which will need/always take priority.

"We will continue online and I’ll pass all the details on once we have it all set up.

"It’s really hard as we love what we do and we love the people we’ve met and become friends with over the years so it’s going to be difficult for us.

"Our days from this point on will be varied during closure but you can always message on here or ring me and I’ll let you know about days/hours etc.

"I hope everyone stays in touch and I’ll keep the page going for any enquiries and updates etc. and our engraving and personalised items @Etch Me Happy will still be available.

"Thank you to everyone who’s supported us in the town centre over the last five years. It’s been tough going but glad we got to meet so many of you lovely people.

"Thanks everyone.

"Love Joanne, Martin, Olivia & Simone."

Joanne Harrison inside Same As It Never Was, pictured in 2023

The Harrison family have been mainstays of the Morecambe shops community for more than 15 years, despite facing a huge amount of adversity and personal tragedy as they battled to continue their business.

The family opened the West End Market in the Alhambra building in Morecambe in 2011.

But they had to leave in 2013 after they were outbid for the lease, then moved to the old Reebok shop on the Promenade, only to have to move on again in 2015. 

They then opened a shop on Regent Road but Joanne had to close it the following year due to illness.

Joanne and her daughter Amy were going to open up the gift shop again together in 2017.

But tragically, Amy died from cervical cancer in 2018, aged just 37. Many of the items in the gift shop had been designed or created by her.

"She is so much a part of this," Joanne told Beyond Radio in 2023.

"So we carry on, even with everything that's gone on. We thought, this is what she would have wanted."

The family took over another premises in the West End in 2019. But then in August 2020, came another devastating blow, when a sinkhole appeared in the floor.

The family started again, opening Same As it Never Was on Euston Road in the former Green Room cafe in 2021 before moving to the current premises in 2023.

Read more: INTERVIEW: Morecambe gift shop owner fights on to keep her daughter's dream alive - Beyond Radio