A MUCH-loved electrical shop which has a history of 125 years in the town is closing down due to the owner’s retirement.

P. Squire, on Bridge Street, started its closing down sale on Monday which saw tears from customers, as owner Alec Holloway is set to retire after working in the shop since 1947.

The town centre shop, which Mr Holloway said was started up in 1893 by the ancestors of his wife, Fenella, sells radios, TVs and other knick-knacks.

In its early days, the store sold items from motorcycles to prams and toys.

Mr Holloway said: “I will miss here, my whole life’s here.

“I lost my wife a couple of months ago and I’m in my 90s so I think it is time I gave up.

“We have had people in tears yesterday. There is nothing else like it about anywhere.”

The store holds fond memories for the Little Ann resident, as he worked 15-hour days when he first started out.

Mr Holloway came on board as the future son-in-law and began running the shop 12 years later.

Over the years, Mr Holloway said business has changed dramatically with people buying online making a big difference to trade.

P. Squire will be open selling its remaining stock, but is expected to close by the end of August.

Mr Holloway added: “When we sell the stock, we will then sell the shop.

“I don’t know what it will be they can do what they want with it. It won’t ever be radio and TV and electrics again, it will probably be a takeaway.

“It is a sad time really.”

In his retirement, Mr Holloway says he will have ‘plenty to do’ at his 460-year-old house with a one-acre garden.

One loyal customer said: “You could come in here and you can find anything electric.

“We have been down here for 52 years. It is a sad time, it is going to be a big loss.”

Mr Holloway wanted to leave a last message of thank you to all his customers.

He added: “I just want to thank them in the past. It will certainly be a change of life, 71 years I’ve worked here.”