A KNUTSFORD dairy firm is reassuring residents that it is still trading after a rival company allegedly told customers that the business had sold out and was closing down.

Sheldon’s Dairy and Pet Supplies, based on Parkgate Industrial Estate on Mobberley Road, was shocked to received phone calls from customers saying that a milkman from a rival company had turned up on their door and informed them that Sheldon’s would no longer be trading in the area.

Steve Edwards of Sheldon’s contacted the Guardian to appeal to existing customers and reassure them that after 50 years of business in the area, the company is ‘still going strong’.

“We had customers ringing us,” said Steve. “They got worried that we aren’t going to be delivering anymore.

“Let’s keep it fair. Word gets around and it’s not on to just say that we going out of business. Nothing is further from the truth.

“I think the company genuinely has customers in the area, but we have people ringing us up and telling us what they have said. We just want to reassure people that we are definitely not going out of business.

“They even said it to one of our relatives.”

Sheldon’s Dairy and Pet Supplies quickly took to social media to warn people, and the post went viral gaining more than 150 shares.

Louise Brookes wrote on the post: “Who are these people? I fell for this. They have my name and mobile number. Who are they so I can call and cancel. I actually thought it was Sheldons? They came round late afternoon.”

Another Knutsford resident, from Mobberley Road who wished to remain anonymous, said: “The doorbell went and there was a chap stood there who said 'do you have a milkman?'. I looked at him and thought what’s Sheldon’s sending him for. He said that they have been taken over by Creamlines, a big American firm.”