'Our family business is closing after more than 100 years'

Dockerills director Ryan Gaylor said the family's decision to close the store was "tough"

Owners of a Sussex hardware store which has been running for more than 100 years said they have been left with no choice but to close.

Dockerills has been on North Laine in Brighton since the 70s, and began in Edward Street in 1915.

The owners blamed the pandemic, rising overhead costs and falling trade for the decision to shut the doors at the end of September.

Director Ryan Gaylor said the final day would be "tough" as "we are all emotionally attached to it".

Dockerills has had a store in central Brighton since 1915

In a statement the family said: "With declining footfall and increasing operational overheads, the high street has changed considerably over recent years and our business has suffered as a consequence."

Mr Gaylor, 58, said it had been a tough decision.

"It has been developing over recent years and Covid didn't help - the high street isn't what it used to be," he said.

Mr Gaylor, whose wife Karen is the daughter of Dockerills' founder, added: "There's never a good time to do something like this with the history and family emotion of it all.

"Around the table and away from the business we are all emotionally attached to it so its going to be a tough day."

'Many happy memories'

Tony Griffiths from Brighton said the store was an "institution" that had been there "as long as I can remember".

Local Rosa May said: "I feel really, really sad because I tell everyone it is the best hardware store in the world. You can find everything and if they didn't have it they would get it for you."

The store thanked customers for their support and said the family would "continue to build on the legacy and freehold of our historical Regent House building".

Mr Gaylor added: "We will look back with pride, for sure, as the dust settles on many happy memories."

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