L8 community rallies to keep much-loved family shoe repair shop

The community in L8 are rallying to support one of their longest-standing family-run businesses and urging supermarket giant Lidl to help save it.

Merv’s shoe repair and key cutting shop has been a much-loved fixture on Park Road for more than 30 years.

It’s spent most of that time on the same site, previously operated by Kwik Save, then B&M and now Lidl. 

But owner Mervyn Garner, who runs the shop with his son Lee, says his lease is due to expire in June this year and he’s been asked to move out to make way for storage.

As a part big of the local community, customers don’t want to see him have to uproot and move to new premises after such a long time, so they’re appealing to Lidl to rethink.

A Change.org petition, which has attracted thousands of views in less than 24 hours, has been started by Katie Chin and her husband Kris Corrigan.

They live in L8 and have both been loyal customers of Merv’s for years. 

“Merv’s Shoe Repairs has been a cornerstone of our community since 1991, providing an invaluable service long before the arrival of Lidl,” says Katie.

“Park Road is situated in a deprived area of Liverpool and relies heavily on the presence of affordable, easily accessible services. Local businesses like Merv’s are vital not only for the essential services they provide but also for the unique character and charm they bring to our community.

“When independent businesses like Merv’s disappear, so do the choices we have as consumers and the character of our community fades. In communities like ours, each business is not just a shop; it’s a place where you are greeted with friendly faces and conversation and more importantly where the needs of the community are truly understood and valued.”

Kris says it’s the personal friendly approach of Merv and Lee towards all their customers that makes them so invaluable.

“So many people go there, like we do, to get shoes reheeled or keys cut but it’s about more than just that. People go in just for a chat, and Merv and Lee genuinely care. Merv’s a pillar of our community and we need to protect independent shops in an area where local, walk-in services really matter.”

Kris says they’re hoping the petition will encourage Lidl to change its plans and let Merv’s stay.

“We know that Lidl has a policy of working with local communities, it’s part of their strategy, so we want them to work with us, understand how important somewhere like Merv’s is and have a rethink.

“The more signatures we get for the petition, the more likely we are to get the attention of senior management at Lidl.

“We’ve seen people come together on things like this before, and if anyone’s in trouble there’s nothing better than a community. It kills us to think that communities are getting pushed out and you can see it more and more, but as long as we all keep doing our best to support them then we can have them there for as long as possible.”

Merv himself is hopeful the petition could win him a lease renewal, and determined not to leave L8.

“It’s worth a go,” he says. “We will still be part of the community no matter where we end up this year. It’s lovely of a local customer to do this for us, very appreciated.”

Support the petition to save Merv’s here.

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