A POPULAR Whitchurch business will close its doors later this month after more than 20 years of trading.

Whitchurch Models, based in Pearl Yard, was opened in 1999 by husband-and-wife team Martin and Susan Simmonds.

Initially operating in Green End, the couple moved round the corner to Pearl Yard in 2005, to a custom-built premises.

But Martin and Susan have decided to call it a day, announcing the shop will close on Saturday, May 29.

Martin says he is sad to close the shop but has enjoyed every day.

"We've done 21 years and we're the only custom-built model shop in the country," said Martin.

"I think I've enjoyed almost every single day, being the focal point of modellers in the area over the years.

"People were surprised when we came to Whitchurch,

But it's an easy to find place and it's worked quite well.

"I've always been a hobbyist so I've really enjoyed it, closing is a bit of a sad moment I suppose."

The couple had made plans to move into a new, larger premises again and put the model shop premises on the market.

But after being closed for a large part of the last 12 months, Martin says plans have changed, and plans to spend more time building models, rather than selling them.

"The plan was to relocate to a bigger premises," added Martin.

"But Covid does make you think if you want to do it forever.

"Out of the last 12 months, we were closed for eight of them.

"It's just me and Susan who run the shop, so I never get any time off."

Despite Martin's insistence that he has never had a bad day, he does remember some trickier moments during his time in the shop.

He added: "I've had dozens of strange requests over the years, but they are nice friendly people in Whitchurch.

"I've never had a complaint, there's always high and low points but I can't remember any of the low ones.

"Opening here was probably the best idea, building your own shop was quite enjoyable.

"I do remember one year selling so many Scalextric and train sets that they were piled up to the ceiling.

"There was also one Christmas that we sold these remote-control cars that had quite a fragile engine.

"Well the first day we opening after the break, there was a queue of people outside the shop, all holding this car.

"We spent all day fixing the engines and the next day the queue was a bit shorter and got shorter every day.

"After a few days there was no queue and we just thought 'we've finally done it'."

Finally, Martin says he has been delighted to operate his shop for the last 21 years.

"Thank you to the people of Whitchurch," he added.

"It's a wonderful place to do business."