Shop on the market for 99p

Oct 3 2008 by Kathryn Smith, Evening Gazette

A SALTBURN businesswoman is so desperate to shut up shop that she's put it on the market - for just 99p

The lease on the premises and other assets of Rachel Lawson’s embroidery and sewing business, set up six years ago, was posted for sale on eBay this week.

Mum, Sue Lawson, who lives in Nunthorpe and is handling the sale on behalf of her daughter, who has now enrolled on a course with Teesside University, said: “I’ve sold a lot of things on eBay - children’s clothes and toys and a motorbike, so why not sell a business?”

With just six days left to post bids, Mrs Lawson said she would accept any offers for the business, which has been valued at between £8,000 and £12,000. Weekly rent for the two-story shop is £65 and there are two years left to run on the lease. She described it as a “potential gold mine”.

“In this economic climate, people are going to repair things rather than buy new,” she said. “And it’s in a good position just along from Somerfield.

“I couldn’t think of any other way of advertising it - it’s such a good deal for someone.”