STORE workers employed at a gift store in Barrow have spoken of their "disgust" after their shop was closed two weeks early.

In November The Mail revealed the former Murray's in Dalton Road, which had been bought out by Cohens, was closing at the end of January.

Bolton-based pharmacy chain Cohens took over Murray's in March 2017 and in November the upstairs gift showroom at the Dalton Road outlet moved downstairs with the loss of two jobs.

Staff were told that with the imminent move of the pharmacy in the outlet to new premises at the top of Duke Street in the former New Empire pub staff the gift store would close for good in January.

However, despite staff claiming the gift store would shut on January 31 they were informed yesterday that the closure was being brought forward by two weeks.

The staff had a strong following on their Facebook page which they used to inform customers of the closure.

"This morning as Julie and I arrived at work we were told the gift shop would be closing today and not January 31 as previously arranged," they said.

"We were told to take personal belongings and leave straight away. The stock was being put into boxes as we left.

"We are both shocked and disgusted at being treated so badly. We were hoping to work our last day together on January 31, especially Julie as she has worked here for over 30 years.

"Our team of girls, me, Julie, Bernie and Yvonne want to thank our pharmacy team for being so amazing and all our loyal customers for years of fun, conversation and support. We will miss you all!

"And to Cohens we would like to say that whilst we are now redundant and things may seem grim, there actually is a silver lining... and that is that we no longer have to work for you. Bliss."

The first Murray's Chemist's opened its doors in Settle Street, Barrow, in the early 1930s by Norman Murray.

With the help of Norman's son Donald, the firm expanded over the years to its current size of around 150 employees – though it always remained in family ownership until last year.