A LONG-serving business is set to close as its owners prepare to start a new chapter in their lives.

David Neville Furnishings is reaching the end of an era in Droitwich after the furniture store revealed it would be closing after 56 years in the town.

The store, which is on the corner of Hanbury Street, was first opened in 1968 by David Neville.

Now, nearly five decades later, his son Mike Apps and business partner Paul Mason are at the helm and have decided it is finally time to retire.

In a statement, the two said: "After 56 years of trading, the directors of David Neville Furnishings have decided to retire.

"This unfortunately means that the store in Droitwich will be closing.

"We will no longer be taking new orders from 1st October 2024. 

"All customers with orders already placed with us will have their furniture delivered as planned.

"The store will remain open until all customers' orders are delivered and showroom stock has been sold.

"We would like to thank all our customers over the many years for their loyal support."

Mr Apps said he is unsure when the store will officially close as it will remain open until all of its stock is gone.

The two hope to close the shop before Christmas and, to help in this process, started a closing-down sale on Wednesday, October 2, which will last until its last day of trading.

Mr Neville, whose actual name was David Neville-Apps, had decided not to include the Apps part of his surname when opening the store all those years ago.

The decision was made because his great-uncle opened a furniture store named Ernest Apps after himself in Bromsgrove. 

Though the stores had different names, they were run by the same family and sold the same furniture.