A FAMILY-RUN shop will say farewell to its loyal customers after four decades of trading.

Long-standing homeware and DIY store Harpers – “the shop that everybody knows” – is permanently shutting its doors, but only after all current staff have found a replacement job.

Mother and son team Almaas, 30, and Pamela Yusuf, 55, of Harpers Home and Garden, who have run the store for the past 15 years, have said they are closing due to decreasing footfall for the past eight years, with more customers heading online to buy DIY materials, tools and garden supplies.

They have thanked their “loyal customers and staff for all the support they have given the business”.

Mrs Yusuf said: “We were concerned our 12 staff had to land safely on their feet so we have been busy finding them other jobs. We want to be the last ones here. We have two staff left now who need jobs.

“Over the years people come and go but during the last two and a half years we have managed a really fantastic team. They are very knowledgeable and nice people. Whoever takes them on will be very lucky.

“We were like a little family. There were many tears.”

Regular customer Gary Snyder called the store the “heart and soul of Chippy” and added: “It’s a one of a kind shop that had everything I needed but sadly if people don’t support their local shops they lose them.”

Shaun Fagan, chairman of tourism group Experience Chipping Norton, said it was a real shame to see Harper’s closing down.

But he insisted independent shops in the area were not under threat, and that retailers battled over any available units.

He said: “It’s not that they’re short of money, they just don’t feel they’re a viable business anymore.

“If you look at it from a town’s point of view, this is an excellent opportunity for a new business.

“The Harper’s store is like a Tardis, it’s a huge department store with a big car park at the back.

“If it’s empty, it won’t be empty for long.”

Mr Fagan praised co-owner Mr Yusuf, who he said had gone out of his way to make sure all Harpers staff members found another job before the store closed down.