Lights out one last time as Shrewsbury town centre shop prepares to close after more than 32 years
The lights are being turned out one last time at a Shrewsbury town centre shop as the owners prepare to enjoy their well-earned retirement.
The Lighting Shop, in Mardol, is closing its doors soon having been a fixture in the county town for more than 32 years.
It is expected that it will close towards the end of February or early March, but an official closing date has not yet been confirmed.
Owner Howard Jones, who is originally from the Birmingham area, runs the shop with his mother Elana.
The 55-year-old said he started out running market stalls in Walsall, Dudley and Penkridge, before settling on a shop in Shrewsbury in 1993.
“It seemed like an affluent town and a nice place to do business,” he said.
Howard said he will now be spending his time concentrating on investments and other business interests.
“I’m looking forward to not being a shopkeeper anymore and getting my weekends back,” he said.
“We’ve had a great time with our customers and made lots of friends. We’ve got to know a lot of people. We can’t walk down the street without seeing people we know.”
Howard said a lot of his stock has been snapped up since the closure was announced.
“I would like to thank everybody for coming in and for all the friendships we’ve made,” he said. “Thank you to everyone in town who has come to us.”
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