AN AWARD-WINNING toy shop in St Albans has gone into liquidation just months after moving the store to a new location.

Little Wonders Toyshop in Holywell Hill says it has ceased trading after its bank made the decision not to lend or support the business financially. A note on the shop door said the decision, which was made in December, had led to the liquidation of the company and personal bankruptcy.

Elena Ripoll and Andrew Mott are asking anybody willing to take on the existing five-year lease on the shop to contact them and are offering the fixtures and fittings for free to anybody who wants to take on the “much-loved shop”.

The toy store moved to the new location in September after being told by their landlords at The Maltings shopping centre the unit that they had been renting for two years was wanted by another company, Lush, who could afford a higher rent.

The independent retailer received over a thousand signatures opposing the 30-day notice to quit, issued on behalf of the owners of the shopping centre, and the store was boosted by the reaction of customers and support from others in the trade.

Speaking at the time Little Wonders moved to new premises, Elena admitted that the new location would leave them in “unknown territory” but she was certain the support would follow them.

Elena was not available for comment this week.