One book shop in Merseyside has stood the test of time.
Broadhurst on Market Street in Southport has traded from the same building for 102 years and is the oldest book shop of its kind in the North West. The shop was founded by its namesake Charles Broadhurst after he returned from active duty in World War One.
Charles was given a loan to start the book shop by his wife's mother and the doors have remained open ever since. In 1987 Charles died and ownership of the building and its contents were bought by Laurence Hardman who had started working in the shop sweeping its floors in 1969.
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Speaking to the ECHO Laurence said: "It's a unique experience coming into the place it's not just any old bookshop and that is increasingly what people are looking for. You can't go anywhere else and find a shop like this it is unique.
"It's just a very good bookshop and because we have been trading for so long we have customers all over the world."
The shop has seen many famous patrons come through the door during its years including the legendary author H. G Wells and country singer Jonny Cash. Laurence who is now in his 70s said: "I think one of the things that people love most about the place is it looks as it did when the building was first built in 1880.
"We have customers who came in as children by their parents and they have brought their children in and they have brought their children in so we get generations coming in who remember the building. So we have a continuity that customers enjoy. A place like this must build up over time but it has to grow organically."
Laurence said that one of the most popular aspects of the shop is that they still wrap the books in brown paper after being sold and tie it with string. He said: "We have been doing that for 102 years and people love it.
"We go to put a book in a bag and people will ask to have their books wrapped it's a novelty it's something that nobody else does for them."
Speaking on why he believes Broadhurst has stood the test of time Laurence said: "The world changes very quickly these days. Ferris Bueller said 'life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.
"And that is what we offer an opportunity to get off life and chill out. We provide that and I'm very proud of it."
