Broadbent and Seddon Funeral Directors, owned by national company, Dignity PLC, has closed its branch in Birkdale in Southport.
The chain closed the doors of the branch on 30th September.
Broadbent and Seddon has been a part of the village for many years, although it was sold to Dignity PLC several years ago.
Funeral Plan customers are advised that Plans registered with Broadbent and Seddon can be transferred to another dignity funeral director if required. Alternatively, Dignity can be contacted directly and the plan be cancelled altogether if families wish to do so.
The closure happened less than a month after the Grand Opening of a new local independent funeral directors in Birkdale and the only one in the area, Massam and Marshall.
It opened at: 2 Crown Buildings on Liverpool Road, opposite The Crown pub, on 5th September 2022.
Massam and Marshall staff are on hand to offer advice and support for anyone who would like to speak with them.
Massam and Marshall Funeral Director David Massam said: “I think this is a sign of things to come as more and more people prefer to place their faith in local, independent family businesses rather than national companies.
“Co-Op Funeralcare, another national firm, closed its Birkdale branch some time ago so I always suspected Dignity could follow.
“With independent funeral directors, our commitment is with the families that we serve. It is a shame because there are some genuinely lovely people who work within these national companies but they can only do what the shareholders request.
“At Massam and Marshall we continue to offer the advice for families to go with independent funeral companies which are often more competitive price wise than the national alternatives – and also, at the end of a working day, you won’t be speaking to a call centre. You’ll talk directly to one of our funeral directors.
“There are a number of funeral homes in Southport which are owned by national companies.
“Often, the clue is in the name. Most independent funeral directors are proud to be local and independent and it is regularly used in their name. If In doubt however, always ask when speaking to staff – who owns the company?”
Massam and Marshall Independent Funeral Directors is situated at: 2 Crown Buildings, Liverpool Road, Birkdale; 137-139 Manchester Road in Southport; and at 5 The Common, Parbold. For more details call: 01704 321234 or visit: www.massamandmarshall.co.uk
Do you have a story for Stand Up For Southport? Please message Andrew Brown via Facebook here or email me at: mediaandrewbrown@gmail.com
