A West Midlands ironmonger's has closed its doors for the last time, having been trading for more than 100 years.
The Solihull independent, HL Owen, has been forced out of business by rising rates and growing competition from DIY multiples.

The shop has been in its premises in Station Road for almost 40 years, before which it traded on the High Street for 70 years. The 65-year-old owner, Bob Hackett, started work in the store as a shop assistant when he was just 15, being employed by the original Mr Owen. He himself became the owner 15 years ago.

The shop had around 550,000 different lines in stock and prided itself on being able to supply anything its customers wanted. The offer covered everything from ironmongery, catering equipment and cleaning materials to tools, teapots and cake tins, and the shop held many products no longer sold by the major retail outlets, such as bicarbonate of soda, powder starch and borax.

The business was awarded the Solihull Town Centre Partnership Customer Care Award in both 2006 and 2007.

Mr Hackett told the Birmingham Mail he was sad to have to close the shop but added: "I would like to say a big thank you to all my regular customers. Most of my regulars are local and I've known some for generations.

"I'm going to put my feet up and do some gardening or fishing and I've got seven grandchildren, so that will keep me busy."