High street businesses are continuing to face challenging times as two more closed down in Morecambe town centre.
A sign in the window of Afters Dessert Parlour and Cheeky Cow burgers on Euston Road says: "Unfortunately we are permanently closed.
"We are really sorry. Thank you for all your support over the years. We are forever thankful.
"Love, all Afters and Cheeky Cow staff."
Beyond Radio has contacted Afters Dessert Parlour for comment.
Afters reopened under new management in November 2024, after couple Daniel Humphreys and Mercedes Lee relocated their Cheeky Cow burger business from Heysham Road into the Afters premises.
The nearby Holland and Barrett health food store on Euston Road has also closed.
A sign outside says: "Sorry, this store is now closed."
The Holland and Barrett on Penny Street in Lancaster remains open.
The health and wellness chain, one of the largest in Europe, has stores all over the UK, supplying its customers with a wide range of vitamins, minerals and health supplements.
“We continually review our locations and can confirm that we closed our Morecambe store on Wednesday March 5," said a spokesperson for Holland and Barrett.
"Our next nearest store is just over four miles away in Lancaster and we look forward to welcoming our customers from Morecambe soon.
The Centre for Retail Research has forecast that 17,000 stores could close across the UK in 2025 as retailers continue to battle rising costs.
David Waddington, chair of Morecambe BID (Business Improvement District), said: "It always disappointing to see businesses in our town close and my best wishes go to the people involved at Afters and Cheeky Cow - and hope that provision is being made for the staff at Holland and Barrett.
"Businesses, particularly small businesses are facing incredible challenges at the moment - and they are challenges not exclusive to Morecambe.
"It is a very difficult trading environment and we need as much as possible to keep our small businesses going wherever and whenever we can so that we don’t lose them altogether.
"Our towns and cities depend entirely on football and whilst people can’t spend money they don’t necessarily have, if we are to keep our retail hospitality and service sectors going in small business, we need people as much as possible to stay local and spend local.
"It’s a shame to lose a high street brand - we do have a great independent health shop on Pedder Street.
"As a small business owner myself, I know all too well the pain and emotional turmoil that the owners of Afters and Cheeky Cow will no doubt be going through and I wish them the best in future endeavours.
"We’ve just had a fantastic weekend in Morecambe, because on a sunny day we know we are the destination of choice. I would like to encourage people to come and spend money in the town all year round. Our businesses depend on it and cannot survive solely on fair-weather days.
"Morecambe has so much to offer and so again I would encourage people to come and wander the streets, see what’s available as well as take in and enjoy the fabulous sight of Morecambe Bay.
"To encourage people to come search out some of our back streets, Morecambe BID has recently launched a programme of commissioned street art, which again gives people an opportunity to visit, take in some beautiful art and explore some of Morecambe‘s streets off the promenade, because again, in these challenging economic times businesses desperately need people to come and visit and spend money where they can."
Other local businesses to announce their closure so far in 2025 have included the Beach Cafe in Morecambe and Simply Baby in Lancaster.
Read more: Messages of support as popular Morecambe seafront cafe closes down - Beyond Radio
Lancaster city centre baby shop announces closure after 20 years - Beyond Radio
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