THE owner of an iconic shoe repair shop is retiring after 31 years running the business.

Navnit Parmar is hoping he can find someone to take on Parmar Shoe Repairs, next to Rayners Lane Tube station.

“Recently business has been a bit slow,” said Mr Parmar, who is married with three grown-up children and two grandchildren. “These days most people wear trainers and shoes are very cheap in the market, so people do not repair them as much.”

Regular customer Patrisha Wood, 69, of Rayners Lane, commented: “He’s always so helpful and so nice. We all are wondering what we are we going to do.”