Bognor Regis Bubbles shop will stay open after huge reaction to closure plans

Bubbles Bargain World, which has traded independently in the town for 30 years, previously announced plans to close and sell the building as owner Pauline Simmonds prepared to retire.

But Pauline and her son Anthony have now had a change of heart - and say the shop will remain open.

The mother and son team say hundreds of messages from loyal customers, many of whom were “dismayed” by the prospect of Bubbles disappearing, have helped convince them to reconsider.

Anthony said: “After much soul searching and careful thought, we’ve had a rethink about the decision to sell the building at this time.

“We understand that very many loyal and lovely customers regard Bubbles as a great place to shop and have continued to recommend us for being very different to run of the mill cards that you can buy anywhere else.

“The hundreds and hundreds of comments from customers dismayed that we were going close have helped sway our minds.”

The reaction was also evident on social media, with a Bognor Regis Observer Facebook post about the shop’s planned closure attracting 247 comments.

Anthony said customers regularly share the reaction their cards receive from friends and family:

“We always chat to our customers and they tell us over and over again that when they send our cards to their friends and family, they can bank on the recipient saying ‘what a lovely card, where did you get it?’ Bubbles, of course.”

He added: “We love our shop and as long as you continue to come in and maybe buy a couple of extra cards - and we can take a break now and then with perhaps shorter hours in January, February and March - then we shall continue to be here for you.”

The sale of the building will no longer go ahead, although the business will temporarily shut its door for two weeks to allow the owners to restock and rearrange the shop.

A sign in the window of the store tells customers: “There will be a temporary shutting of the doors for two weeks to re-stock, re-arrange and re-energise, then we will be back as usual with one major addition - after 30 years, we will be accepting card payment!”

Pauline said introducing card payments would open the shop up to more customers who previously avoided visiting because they did not have cash.

“That will be a biggie,” she said. “A lot of locals knew we were cash only before and wouldn’t come down because they didn’t have cash, but now it’s open to everybody.”

She also said the strength of the reaction to the proposed closure was unexpected.

“The amount of people reacting has been surprising,” she said. “They are so loyal.”

Bubbles is expected to reopen on Thursday (September 10), when Pauline and Anthony hope to unveil a new range of greetings cards at the same price as three years ago.

Pauline explained that maintaining consistent prices is unusual in the current climate, with the pair keen to continue offering customers what they believe is good value.

The reopening will mark a new chapter for the independent family-run shop, which says it could not continue without the support of its customers.

The sign in the window concludes: “Thank you for the overwhelming love and support you have shown us. Long may it continue!

“As a small family run shop, we can’t do it without you!”