A SHOP which has served Halstead for more than 100 years is preparing to close its doors for the final time.

Frank Smith and Sons, a men’s clothing shop which has been open since 1895, will bid farewell to Halstead High Street next month.

Chris Smith has been working sixday weeks at Frank Smith and Sons for more than four decades.

The store was put on the market in 2013 as Chris and his wife, Diane, planned to retire, but plans were put on hold when a buyer couldn’t be found.

Chris said: “45 years I have been here, and I think it is time that we stop.

“I wouldn’t say that I am looking forward to retirement, but we shall see how it goes. I have to stop now, there isn’t really another option, you can’t go on forever.

“I had planned for retirement a few years back, but it didn’t come to fruition, this time we have a buyer lined up so it should go ahead.

“There has been a lot of change in Halstead while I have worked here, it has been very interesting to see the town change around me.

"The whole High Street has changed over the last 45 years, it is strange to think about the shops that were here when I first started in the shop.”

Although Mr Smith is looking forward to retirement, he knows he will miss the shop, and his customers.

He added: “I will miss it, it has been a large part of my life so of course I will miss it, but I am looking forward to a bit of time off. I haven’t made any plans for retirement, after it didn’t work out last time I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself.

“It will be strange to leave the shop for the final time. Most of all I will miss the people, all the customers we have had have been lovely and I will miss them all.

“A lot of our customers have been very loyal, most of them come back. This is actually quite sad for me, this is not the kind of thing you do every day of the week.

“I have dedicated a large amount of my life to the business, but I wouldn’t change a thing, it is a family business and I am proud to have continued it.”