A GIFT shop owner said the 'time has come' to leave her business after twelve years of trading.

Due to new work and family commitments, Donna Dacre, owner of Special Occasions, feels she is 'unable' to give the shop the full attention it deserves for the business to continue to thrive.

The gift shop, located on Crellin Street in Barrow, will close its doors after Christmas following more than a decade of trading in town. 

Donna said: "I have always prided myself for giving 100 per cent customer service, being able to keep on top of market trends and being unique that I just felt that it was time to step away from that and give somebody else the opportunity to other businesses to come.

"The time has come now, but in the meantime, while I look at other options, we will be starting a sale on our 12th-anniversary date with the largest sale I have ever done.

"I'm just going to enjoy it all rather than seeing it as a sad time as we had 12 incredible years."

The Mail: Donna Dacre and staff members of Special Occasions.Donna Dacre and staff members of Special Occasions. (Image: Donna Dacre)

She said the experience as a shop owner in Barrow had been a 'rollercoaster'. 

She said: "I loved being in the town centre. We have had loyal customers throughout the years, particularly over the last five years when I introduced the Bear’s Treehouse with our lovely collectable bears. 

"It has been wonderful, the support of the local community, and I'm really grateful for everything we have had.

"I wouldn't have been able to do it without my wonderful staff, past and present, for all their hard work, dedication and commitment and my own family - that's been wonderful to have their support."

The shop will remain open on the run-up to Christmas with sales starting on Thursday, November 9 at 5.30pm with a wide range of gifts and bears.