Bury Sports and Trophies to close after 50 years of trade

Bury Sports and Trophies, on Bolton Street, will wave goodbye to the town as brothers Colin and Alan Hesketh, prepare to retire.

The shop has begun to sell off it’s stock as it prepares for it’s last day of trade on Friday, April 28.

The business has existed in various forms since the 1950s when it was known as Harry Orr’s shop.

Cricket bats and rackets for sale at Bury Sports and Trophies (Image: Colin Hesketh)

In the 1960s it became GH Lupton and Sons until it was purchased by Jack Hesketh, Colin and Alan’s father, who renamed it Bury Sports and Trophies in 1974.

Colin and Alan joined the family business in the 1970s and have seen many traditional sports shops change into fashion retailers.

Colin said: “The time has come to pack up, it’s a shame as we have been busier in the last five years than we’ve been before.”

“I don’t think there is a shop like this in the country , I think we are a dying breed.

“There’s still a market for somebody who’s strong enough to keep with it.”

Once he retires Colin, 62, says he plans to travel in his motor home and to spend more time playing music with his band.

Bury Sports and Trophies will be selling off stock ahead of its last day of trade in April (Image: Colin Hesketh)

His brother Alan, 70, will also be hitting the road in his motorhome but also plans to spend more time with his grandchildren.

Reflecting on his years in the trade, Colin added: “I’ve very much enjoyed it.

“It’s changed a lot  and we’ve had to find different avenues to go down as times changed.

“We have managed to make changes on two or three occasions.”

Since announcing their closure, Colin says he’s seen an outpouring of tributes and well wishes from residents.

“There seems to be good feeling towards us”, he added.

“There won’t be another shop like this again, all sports shops used to be like this and a lot of shops went down that [fashion] route but we stuck to our guns.”