One of Harrogate's oldest shops is set to close after 65 years of trading.

Exelby Shoes of Harrogate has been on Station Parade for more than half a century but it will close when current owners Stephen and Mandy Walker retire.

The store doesn't have a definite last day yet but it is likely to be after Easter, depending on stock.

The Walkers have owned the shop for 25 years and now the lease is up for renewal they have decided the time is right to move on.

Prior to their Harrogate location they specialised in shoe repairs in Leeds and have been in the shoe business for over half of their lives.

The store's demographic is people aged over 40 and is 70% women. Mr Walker joked it had a reputation for being 'an old lady shoe shop' that it has never been able to shake off.

When we visited to talk about the closure, a customer described Exelby Shoes as "Harrogate's best kept secret".

Mr Walker, affectionately known by his customers as Mr Exelby, said:

He added that trading has changed significantly over the past 25 years: he used to have 60 year olds requesting traditional black court shoes and now he predicts they will be the last shoes left in stock. He adds that people now prefer trainers and brighter shoes, adding:

The store has always prided itself on high quality leather shoes. The majority of stock is produced by Reiker a German footwear brand.

Mr Walker said this week has been especially busy following the news of the closure.

He said people often overlooked the store because it isn't directly in the town centre but some people do seek it out to find high quality shoes.

Mr Walker said:

The Walkers plan to spend their retirement with their grandchildren and travel around England sightseeing.

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