Well-known Spalding clothing store JF Inkley on the market

A well known town shop is on the market.

It will come as little surprise to Spalding resident’s that gentlemen’s clothing store JF Inkley - which marked its 65th anniversary this month - is preparing to shut up shop, with many making the most of its ongoing 25% off sale.

However, the Vine Street building is now up for sale with Longstaff, with an asking price of £135,000.

“The property has provided a very successful retail trading opportunity over the years - it has been a tailors/gents outfitters shop certainly since the Second World War and the Inkley Family have run their business here since 1965,” the brochure said.

“Number 12 Vine Street is very prominently positioned at the junction of Vine Street, The Crescent and Francis Street and is only within a minute´s walking distance of the centre of Spalding (Market Place).

“There is on-street car parking available in The Crescent, a local authority car park within less than a minute´s walk and other town centre facilities all within easy reach.”

The property will ‘have the benefit of vacant possession upon completion’ due to owners Andrew and Heather Inkley said ‘the time is right’ to retire.

The business is currently selling its stock and plans to remain trading until later this summer.

“It will be a sad occasion but obviously a new beginning for us,” said Andrew.

“I still get a kick out of buying and selling but the time is right to retire.

“It feels bittersweet. We’ve made a lot of friends here, both customers and the shopkeepers around us.”

The business was set up by Andrew’s dad Jim in 1960, operating for five years down Red Lion Street before moving to the current Francis Street location in 1965.

Andrew joined the business in 1981 but had already been learning the ropes out of school hours.