A Harold Hill family clothes shop which has been running for 34 years is closing down this week.

Owner Kuldip Hayre, known as Jerry, will be closing Top Spot, in the Hilldene Shopping Centre to retire at the age of 67.

He said the shop lease had run out and it was now the perfect time to enjoy his retirement.

The shop, in Farnham Road, has been to go-to place locally for children’s school uniforms and women’s clothes.

Kuldip said: “I have enjoyed having my own business selling baby clothes, ladies fashion and children’s wear, but I think it is my time to retire now as I will be 68 in three months.

“There was a big need for this type of shop when we first came here and we liked the community.

“People have said they will be sad to see us go, and I am also sad to close the shop and don’t want to go, but I can’t keep on working all my life.

“The fashion has now changed, the trends are changing all the time, and so has the way people buy their clothes. It is more common for people to go to the big shopping centre or to shop online than to go to their local shop, which they will go to if they find it difficult to find what they want anywhere else.”

He said he was looking forward to his retirement and to having some time off. “I have been working non-stop without a break six-days a week, I won’t know what to do with myself now as I have never not worked, but I will have more time to enjoy gardening now.”

The shop will officially close on Friday.