Wine and cheese merchant blames closure on ‘dying’ high street

Mr Murphy said the decline in footfall had contributed towards his decision to close along with increased energy costs and the cost of living crisis.

“There’s definitely been a shift towards online sales, it’s obvious it’s the future.

“Back in the day there was a generation who only knew supermarket shopping, now it’s gone even further.”

Mr Murphy, 46, said the store took a quarter of the profit it would have made three years ago last Saturday.

“The high street is struggling. I never wanted to close the shop, unfortunately there is no other option.”

Although Czerwik’s traded for decades alongside other traditional high street retailers, Mr Murphy admitted his business became “a luxury” as the cost of living rose.

He said he had been working for £6.08 an hour – less than the national minimum wage – trying to make ends meet, which impacted his mental health.

“I was really lucky, I enjoyed my 29 years, then it starts hitting you and you are not enjoying work – that’s when things need to change.

“It is with a heavy heart and it is very, very sad.”