BALLOON artists who made creations for Ant McPartlin's birthday have closed their large studio in Rhyl.

Mike and Sara Harris, who run For Every Occasion Balloon Artists Ltd, have traded from their premise on Ffordd Derwen for more 15 years.

The husband and wife provide balloon décor for birthdays, christenings, engagements and weddings as well as other celebrations and corporate events.

Covid has hit the business particularly hard and in-spite of some lighter moments - one of which saw the couple turn the hosts of I'm A Celebrity into balloon creations for Ant's 45th birthday - Mike and Sara have been left with no option but to close their large Rhyl base in order to keep their company afloat.

Ant and Dec - created by For Every Occasion Balloon Artists in Rhyl

Ant and Dec - created by For Every Occasion Balloon Artists in Rhyl

Mike, managing director, said: "On the March 23 last year practically all business stopped overnight. Since the start of the pandemic, in order to comply with government guidelines, our studio has been closed more than it has been open.

"With around 10 per cent of our normal income remaining, the cost of operating from such large premises was no longer in the best interests of our family business.”

“We are sad to be closing the bricks and mortar studio but this is the path we have to take to protect our business and our family."

In order to help their business survive, the couple have introduced an interactive online ordering system on their website.

Customers will be able to order smaller, but by no means less special or extravagant displays, and collect them from their new business premises at their studio annexe in Abergele.

Sara, creative director, said: "We value our customers so much, our regulars are like family to us as we have celebrated births to teens with some families.

"Our updated website is now second to none, but customers can still call us on our regular number to place orders too, if they are more comfortable with that.”

For Every Occasion Balloon Artists achieved world-wide recognition following success in global competitions.

In 2014, Mike and Sara were asked to put together a UK team to compete in the Large Sculpture Competition at the World Balloon Convention in Denver, Colorado, USA.

There, they created a 16 feet high sculpture of the RAF Red Arrows in flight and brought home a silver award.

Talking to the Journal last year, Mike said the pandemic had resulted in them losing 90 per cent of their business.