The shop’s owners said they had gone through an “incredibly difficult period”
Manny’s Market, on the left, was located on Rose Mount in Oxton(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
The owners of a shop in a Wirral village said they are “exhausted” as they made a “heartbreaking” announcement. Manny’s Market opened on Rose Mount in Oxton in October 2024 with a focus on selling fresh and local produce, such as meats, cheeses, oils and wines.
There was also an in-store bakery with fresh sourdough, a cafe and a homeware section upstairs called House of Anya. However, in an Instagram post this evening (Sunday, May 17), the shop’s owners announced it had shut down with immediate effect.
They argued that rising costs for suppliers, surging energy bills and “catastrophic losses behind the scenes” had left them with no choice but to close the business. The statement, shared over two pictures, said: “After an incredibly difficult period, we’ve made the heartbreaking decision to close Manny’s Market with immediate effect.
“This business meant everything to us. What started as a dream to bring our little bit of London to Oxton became something far bigger. With your help it became a community hub, a home for new friendships, memories, and a place we poured ourselves into completely.
“Behind the scenes, however, the reality of running an independent business became impossible for us to sustain any longer.
“Rising supplier costs, ever-changing payment terms, crippling VAT, increases in staffing costs, rapid inflation, significant decline in customer footfall, and utility bills that tripled overnight, all placed enormous pressure on the business.
Manny’s Market opened in late 2024(Image: Google)
“Alongside this, we faced a series of catastrophic losses behind the scenes that, over time, became impossible for the business to absorb.
“Since the beginning, we have personally funded Manny’s to keep it alive, doing everything we possibly could to protect the business, support our staff, pay our suppliers, and continue showing up for our customers every single day.
“But despite every effort, we have reached a point where we simply cannot continue. Right now, our priority is ensuring our staff and our suppliers are looked after as responsibly as possible.
“To every customer, regular, friend, neighbour, supplier, and supporter, from the bottom of our heart, thank you. You helped turn Manny’s into more than our wildest expectations could hope for.
“You made it a home, and we will forever be grateful for the love and support shown to us along the way.
“Maybe it wasn’t the right time for Manny’s. But please know we gave this everything we had, and so much more.
“With love, exhaustion, and gratitude.”
In the caption of the post, the owners pleaded for customers of all businesses to remember the staff who work around the clock to keep them going.
They said: “We ask that you remember kindness during these challenging times, not just for those impacted by Manny’s Market closure, but for everyone paying bills, juggling work and life, working for themselves, or working for somebody else and struggling to make ends-meet.
“You can’t always see a person behind a job, a business or even a screen, but they exist, often burnt-out, exhausted and working out how to survive.”
The owners received hundreds of supportive messages in the comments section from customers of Manny’s Market. One woman said: “Absolutely gutted for you both – we’ve loved coming into your shop. You’ll be so missed in the village.”
Another woman said: “So sorry to hear this, we love coming to Manny’s. The best coffee and cakes and the nicest staff. The struggle for small business is awful. I am truly gutted for you all.”
A third woman added: “So sorry to hear this. You’ve been a beacon during my maternity leave. Thank you for always being kind and welcoming.
“You’ll be greatly missed. A terrible time for all in the industry currently. We wish you both well and hopefully this isn’t the end of Manny’s, just a pause. Lots of love and kindness.”
The ECHO has previously reported that Oxton is a quaint village east of Birkenhead that remains unknown, or at least unvisited, by many people across Merseyside, with lots of independent firms and green spaces.