Curtain closes on fancy dress costume shop

But Mojoes Fancy Dress Hire, on Red Bank Road in Bispham, is closing its doors for good next month.

Shop owner Jennifer Hayes, 49, says trade has been hit by the internet, with partygoers now more inclined to buy cheaper costumes online, and have them delivered, than visit a fancy dress shop.

It’s the end of an era for a shop whose colourful front window, with its cowboy costumes, creepy masks and novelty hats, has brightened up Bispham’s high street for so long.

Jennifer said: “I will be sad to see it go, because my parents set it up and I have lots of happy memories.

“But the way the business is going and the economic situation, I decided it was time to close. I tried selling the shop but unfortunately there has been no interest, so I have started a closing down sale and then the doors will close by the middle of March.”

The business was originally set up on Central Drive by Jennifer’s parents, Jack and Christine Hayes, who had come to Blackpool from Stockport in 1978 after deciding on a new life.

Neither of them had any experience of retail - Jack was a painter and decorator and Christine was a machinist.

Their first business was a corner sweet shop further down Central Drive, before they established Mojoes.

The fancy dress shop thrived on Central Drive before Mojoes moved to Red Bank Road in 2001.

Jennifer, who bought the shop and took over the business in 1995, said: “We fancied a change and Bispham turned out to be a good move.

“It’s been a lot of fun over the years - when you run a fancy dress hire shop, you’re seeing people at their best, planing a good night, and I’ve loved it.

“Every Christmas people would hire their Santa outfits - and Halloween was always our best time, people would try all sorts.”

Many people will miss Jennifer and dad Jack, who still pops in to help out most days.

Jennifer has no immediate plans once the shop has closed. She added: “I’ll be looking for a new job, so we’ll see what happens.”