One of Weston-super-Mare's oldest shops is set to close its doors next Saturday, as owner Roger Leaver plans his retirement.
Leavers Hardware, which has been trading in Weston-super-Mare for 129 years will shut up shop on Saturday, October 24. Current owner Roger Leaver, who has worked in the business for 44 years, told DIY Week: "I'm not going out because I have to - it's simply that I'm at retirement age and I've let the shop. It's a nice note to go out on."

The store, located on Waterloo Street, has now been let to a charity shop and Mr Leaver said he is pleased the building won't stand empty.

The closure of the hardware shop, which was founded in 1886 by Mr JJ Leaver, has garnered a lot of attention from the local press and Mr Leaver has been interviewed on BBC Radio about the history of Leavers. "It's gone mental with the coverage," he said. "Leavers is one of the oldest businesses in West-super-Mare. People are interested in its history."

A picture of the shop in the 1890s with staff lined up outside, and a collection of other photos of the shop through the years, have had a number of views since they were was posted on social media by Mr Leaver's daughter and by BBC Radio Bristol recently.

Read more in the October 23 issue of DIY Week.