A Dartmoor hardware independent with over a century of trading under its belt is set to close its doors for the last time this year.
Rod Webber, who owns Webber & Sons in Chagford, Devon, with his brother Chris and sister Elaine Hedley, told diyweek.net that the decision was down to a combination of retirement and increasingly tough trading conditions.

The shop was established as a saddlery 117 years ago, in 1898, by Rod's great-grandfather Gideon Webber. Rod Webber has worked there for most of his life and was joined later by his siblings, but being all in their 60s now "we're well into retirement age," he said.

"I don't really want to hang on any longer than necessary. There are lots of children between us but they're all doing other things. It is sad for us because it's been my life since the age of 20. It's quite a wrench, quite a decision to make."

He said the fact that business had become more difficult over the years had also contributed to the move.

"It's too hard a life for people these days, the hours are too long and retail is increasingly tough," he said. "It's a declining business due mainly to online shopping. The way people shop has completely changed - youngsters today now do it online, it's a fact of life. We've seen a decline in business over the last 10 years, every year, and you can't go on like that. You don't take on staff and you try to cut your overheads but it's tougher and tougher.

"One of the things that's hit our trade is the cheapness of things from the Far East. Also, we're quite an elderly, retired population here and their spending needs aren't as great."

The loss of Webber & Sons will mean the end of an extraordinary sight, two hardware shops side by side, as Webbers' immediate neighbour - although a completely separate business - is Bowdens ironmongers.

"That's been one of the attractions to Chagford," said Mr Webber, "the two shops bang next door to each other. I think that's probably unique in the country. They sell different products to us, they're more traditional ironmongery while Webbers is more cookware and giftware. We've always got along pretty well."

The Webbers have now obtained planning permission to change the large store into two smaller shops, but have not set on a closing date yet.

"No, we're some way from that, we've not even put it on the open market yet," Mr Webber said.