A SHOE shop that has served Abingdon for more than 100 years is closing.

The Shoe Shop of Abingdon has been in Bath Street since the early 1900s, but will finally close its doors on May 2.

Owner Judith Knight, who has run it for the last 13 years, is selling up to travel with her husband Mervin, who runs building supplies company F Knight & Sons in Ock Street.

Mrs Knight, who lives in Abingdon, said: “There are lots of reasons why we’re closing, but my husband is selling his business and my lease is coming to an end.

“It seemed like the right time to close.

“I no longer want the full-time commitment.”

She believed it would be the end of selling footwear from the premises, which has been the base for other firms Jarvis’s Shoeshop and Brian Gower Shoes.

Mrs Knight said: “No one’s willing to take it in the current economic climate. There are lots of empty shops and people are not willing to risk it.

“It would have been nice if it could have continued as a shoe shop, but it won’t happen.”

However, she revealed there were “several” interested parties with plans to turn the store into other businesses, including a hairdressers and a memorabilia shop.

The mother-of-four recalled how her husband bought her the shop out of the blue.

She said: “Mervin is good friends with the former owner Brian Gower and between the two of them they decided it would be a good idea if I took it on. It was a surprise, I haven’t got any history in shoe shops.

“But I’ve enjoyed it immensely, it’s been lovely to learn all about the shoe trade.

“We have really nice customers. They are always so grateful.”

Mrs Knight, who employs one full-time worker and two part-time employees, said: “Obviously it’s not been a nice thing to have to tell them.

“It’s sad to see it go, but people are wishing us luck for the future.”

Mr Gower said: “The shop has stood the test of time for well over 100 years.”

He says it was first set up by a Mr Chapman in the early 1900s, who traded in secondhand shoes from the shop.

It was later taken over by Ted Jarvis, who ran the shop during the Second World War and beyond.

Mr Gower recalled: “I took over the business in 1970.

“We stocked soft leather comfort shoes in many wide fittings.

“Brian Gower Shoes traded for 33 years.

“I was very pleased when I retired and handed the business over to Judith Knight.

“She has taken the business to new heights, adding extra ranges of footwear and leather accessories, such as handbags from companies, including Radley.

“The experienced staff members will be missed for their professional and patient service they have provided to Abingdon for many years.”

Abingdon Mayor Angela Lawrence said: “I’m very sad, not just because I buy a lot of my shoes there.

“By having competition between shops it brought more people into Abingdon because they had a choice.

“Abingdon Town Council tries so hard to increase the footfall.

“But if there aren’t enough shops it will dwindle. Shoppers won’t want to stay.”

It is the latest shoe retailer to close in the town. Bailey Shoe Repairs, which had also been in Bath Street since the 1900s, closed in 2010.