AN HISTORIC landmark shop is finally closing after more than 130 years as its current owners have decided to retire.

Ealing may have changed throughout the decades but the look and service of Alfred sayers menswear has barely altered.

Founded by Alfred Sayers in 1884 it has only moved yards along Ealing Broadway, from roughly where Barclays is now, to its current location opposite Christ the Saviour Church. This most recent shop was built in 1906 and is now run by Afred Sayer's great grandsons Allan and David.

Together with his brother, Allan took over from his father in 1958.

The 74-year-old said managing the shop and serving customers has given him a lot of satisfaction during the years which is why he is retiring later than most.

He said: “Retailing, particularly traditional retailing - not self service and supermarkets, retailing where you talk to the customer - is rewarding. You’re involved right the way from buying the merchandise to selling the merchandise, that challenges you to get the right stock in.

“We’ve gone on quite a while longer than we had to because we enjoyed it.”

Despite this and the business still going strong, the brothers have finally decided to retire. For the first time in the shop’s history there is no one from a younger generation willing to take over.

Allan has seen Ealing become more cosmopolitan and the landscape has changed, particularly with the building of the shopping centres, but he said he was proud the store has kept the same quality service since he can remember, when he started working Saturdays aged 13 in 1953.

He worked in other shops as the business expanded to set up five stores across west London during the years but these have since closed down.

Allan said: “It’s ending as we began. There is a sense of sadness and also a sense of pride for what we’ve achieved. We’re the oldest independent and family business in Ealing.”

He and his staff said they would miss the customers with Robert Hutchison, 60, (CORR), the youngest of the four-strong team adding: “We got to know them by their first names and over the years their sons have grown up and come to buy suits off us. My 25-years here have been thoroughly enjoyable.”

The store is to close on December 31 and until then the Sayers have to sell off all their stock. The brothers have such a large selection they started their sale last week knowing it will take a few months to clear.