A SHOP owner says she has faced “a lot of tears and sleepless nights” after discovering she needs to find a new home for her beloved balloon business. 

Justina Morrell, owner of Heartfelt Balloons, in Hadleigh, says she is “racing against the clock” as she frantically looks for a new home for the business.

Mrs Morrell has been running the balloon business for more than a decade in London Road. 

But she will have to vacate the premises by October to make room for a new accountancy firm which is set to own the site. 

Mrs Morrell is now fighting to find a new home and keep the business going. 

Stressful: Justina has been running the business for more than a decade and is helped out on the weekends by her husband, Mark.Stressful: Justina has been running the business for more than a decade and is helped out on the weekends by her husband, Mark. (Image: Justina Morrell)

 

 

She said: “This business is everything to me. I took the nerve wracking decision to buy the company ten years ago after working for three years under the previous owner.

“Since then, it’s been an amazing journey full of highs and lows. It’s gone from strength to strength and has become a household name in Hadleigh.

“The last few weeks have been very stressful and upsetting. There’s been a lot of tears and sleepless nights, lots of not eating.

“I knew the lease was up in October but I thought the new owner would keep us on as tenants. Unfortunately, they want the building for their own purposes.

“I’m now racing against the clock to try and find a new place. I want to stay in Hadleigh because we have a strong customer base here.”

Since announcing the news on social media, Hadleigh’s community have flooded Mrs Morrell with support to help her stay in the town.

“I feel like I’ve failed everybody but the response and support I have received from the community has been overwhelming,” she said. 

“I have been getting so many messages from people encouraging me and sending me possible sites that we can move to. You just feel so loved.

“The shop has really become a part of the community and this will affect the whole of Hadleigh honestly. I hope I can stay in the town.”

Mrs Morrell says she will now search for new premises and hopes to move before the October deadline.