A LONG-STANDING photography shop which has served locals for decades could rise from the ashes.

Questions had surrounded the sudden closure of Imagex in Bicester’s town centre with customers panicked that sentimental photos had been lost as doors closed without warning.

A sign put up in the shop’s window said: “Closed until further notice, sorry for any convenience.”

This week, the shop has since announced it has ceased trading.

But a glimmer of hope could see the brand return as a former co-owner, and original co-founder, has pledged his commitment to reviving Imagex.

READ AGAIN: Bicester photography shop the latest to bow out of the high street

As one of three original founding partners Robert Peckham said he hopes ‘to return to the business and rescue’ the photographic shop.

He describes opening the store in early 2013 with two ex-Jessops colleagues after raising the necessary funds to take over and re-open the former, recently closed Jessops.

Prior to this the shop unit in Sheep Street had been home to an independent camera and photo services retailer since the early 1990s.

Mr Peckham said the opening of Imagex in March 2013 was ‘a major event’ for the town and it was officially opened by local tv auctioneer Charlie Ross, known to frequent television screens on Bargain Hunt, as well as the town’s MP and mayor at the time Sir Tony Baldry.

However after four successful years, Mr Peckham said disagreements among business partners prompted him to step down in 2017.

READ AGAIN: Former workers hopeful of making camera store a success

He said: “It was very sad to leave, but before I departed I made sure all the original investors had been fully repaid, the business was in good financial health with no borrowings or debts, and there were lots of happy customers.”

But on hearing the news the shop has ceased trading and appears to have been put up to rent, Mr Peckham has hopes of returning.

It is not known the reason behind the stores sudden closure.

But Mr Peckham had hoped to reopen the Sheep Street store, but says landlords have since said it is not possible.

However, undeterred the co-founder hopes to revive the brand in another 'significant location' as explained on a post on the website.

This newspaper and Mr Peckham have since been contacted by customers about outstanding orders and customers unable to get back their photographs.

But a post to the Imagex website has also addressed this issue and provided a contact for those customers, suppliers or creditors.

He said: “I want to get back, start sorting out the mess, get the business restarted and back on track.”

For more details on the closure go online to the website at imagex.co.uk