Cradley Heath army and navy store to close after 67 years

David James, who owns Cradley Heath Army Stores, is closing up shop in around two months time, to retire.

The shop was opened by David's father William James in 1954 and has been a familiar sight in Upper High Street for 67 years.

David, who took over running the store 32 years ago when his father retired, said: "I'm looking forward to retirement.

"I've enjoyed every minute of it - for the last few years the loyal customers have kept me going.

"The internet hasn't really affected the shop as it's been mainly workwear we have been selling for the last 20 years.

"People buy workwear when they need it - if they need a new pair of trousers they come in, they don't order them in advance on the internet."

Pic: Google 

The shop, which is opposite the new Salvation Army building, is in the process of being sold, with plans in the pipeline to convert it into flats.

David, who is married to Yvonne - the couple have one daughter - is intending to spend time looking after his grandson Ethan, aged four.

David worked in engineering, before deciding to take over the shop when his dad, who died in 2010, retired.

He said: "When dad said he was retiring I said I'd take it on."

"Times have changed in Cradley Heath, it used to be an old town, now it's a modern town with Tesco and fewer smaller traders.

"A lot of people have come in and said they are sad to see we are closing but shops like this are a thing of the past.

"Things have to change."

Cradley Heath councillor Julie Webb said: "It will be a real shame to see the shop go, it's a little piece of local history.

"It's like Jones's footwear up the road, that has gone now too,

"I've been a local councillor for 20 years and the shop has always been there. It was there before the redevelopment of the town."

David is holding a closing down sale and is offering 30 per cent off everything.

The shop is open every day apart from Tuesdays and Sundays from 9am till 4pm.