Residents 'gutted' as much-loved Stockport business makes 'huge' announcement after 20 years

An award-winning Stockport business has shared a major update about its future leaving shoppers 'gutted'. After 21 years, the owners of Simply Books, an independent bookshop in Bramhall, have put the successful business up for sale.

Sharing the news on social media, partners Andrew Cant and Sue Steel, who first opened the shop on Moss Lane in 2002, said the time felt right to "pass on the baton", adding they were confident that there would be someone out there who will "love the shop as much as we do." The posts garnered a number of comments as followers shared their sadness at the news, but also well wishes for the future.

As well as selling books, the shop has become an integral part of the Stockport community, and over the years has hosted a range of author events, book clubs and cinema screenings. It also has its own dedicated cafe space, a place where customers have previously come to meet other visitors, grab a coffee and read their newly purchased books.

READ MORE: The most exciting restaurants and bars coming to Manchester in 2024
READ MORE: The 'perfect' Greater Manchester village that's among Britain's 'most desirable'

During its 21 years in business, the shop has also received a number of accolades and was even named 'best in Britain' in 2009. It beat of thousands of other shops to be named Independent Bookseller Of The Year, a honour which they told the Manchester Evening News at the time was, "as good as it gets".

Updating followers on the decision on Thursday (December 28) Simply Books' owners said: "We’ve made a huge decision & put our bookshop up for sale! It’s thriving & after 21yrs the time feels right to pass the baton on."

They added that if anyone was interested in buying the shop or knew