Family newsagent shop opened in 1920s to close

A family-run newsagents shop which has been a fixture in a Manx village since the 1920s is set to close.

Graham Fargher said three generations of his family had been "proud" to serve the community at N.A Fargher Ltd, on Main Road in Onchan.

In an letter to customers, he confirmed the building had been sold and the new owners planned to convert the space into a private home.

But he said the business would continue to deliver newspapers, despite the closure of the physical store on 1 February.

The business, opened by Mr Fargher's grandparents Monty and Dora, had been affected by the pandemic.

"It took its toll and the shop hasn't fully recovered, trade never really picked back up again", Mr Fargher said.

Mr Fargher said: "We'd like express our deepest gratitude to the many paper boys and girls who have helped us over the years, as well as the incredible team members behind the counter."

He also thanked customers for their "unwavering support".

"It's been my life. I've never known anything else. I started delivering papers when I was three – there is a big sadness, a big part of my life is going."

He said "it's the end of an era, but we're not disappearing, we just won't have a physical presence".

"The newspaper deliveries will carry on, this is a tradition we are committed to continuing into the future", he added.

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