Bourne shoe shop JT Whyles will close its doors for final time on May 15

A long-running Bourne family business will close its doors for the final time next month after seven decades in the town.

JT Whyles shoe shop will shut its Abbey Road premises on Saturday, May 15, having served the town since the 1950s.

“It was a local family business, the sort of thing we need here,” said Mayor of Bourne, Colin Pattison.

“It will be sad to see them go and we wish them all well.

“It was the one shop to go to if you had any problems with your shoes because you knew the skills were there in the back room to fix them.

“Once again we have another shop that is empty, but hopefully it will soon be taken on again.”

Despite the imminent closure, Mr Pattison is confident the high street will see a revival as lockdown restrictions ease.

“I just came back from town and even after 4.30pm on a Wednesday it was pretty busy,” he added.

“The hairdressers all had queues outside them on Monday.

“I know we have been here before and we have had to go back to come forwards, but let’s just hope if people are sensible and show each other courtesy, that we will be all right this time.”

• In an earlier version of this article we stated incorrectly that the shop closed on April 15. JT Whyles will close on May 15. We apologise for the error.