THE owner of a hugely popular fashion store in Oswestry says the ‘time is right’ to close his chain of shops.

Mark McLaven co-owned The Catalogue Surplus Centre, in Willow Street, with sister Tracy Philpott, 53, who passed away recently, as well as stores in Shrewsbury, Newport and Stoke-on-Trent.

Mr McLaven admitted that her loss has led to him saying goodbye to his business with a closing down sale, but admitted being able to build such a great business with Tracy left him full of pride.

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“We set up it together and we worked together for 39 years and it was an absolute joy,” said Mark.

“Tracy was my only sibling – we got to spend so much time together and build this and the staff have been great.

“They are like family and we’re really sad to say goodbye.

“It gives me pride and great comfort – we look around everywhere and we’ve got great memories of her all over.

“We all have such fond memories of her and she worked so hard.

“What drove her on is that she wanted to provide a nice lifestyle for her family and everyone else.

“We’ve always been busy and the business is actually quite successful at the moment.

“It’s a life decision – I can’t do this on my own.

“My sister worked so hard, and was great support, and without her to do this doesn’t make sense any more."

Mark also paid tribute to his customers from over the years – including the occasional special bus tour from Bournemouth – and thanked them for their support.

He said: “They’re loyal customers who always pop in and we’re sorry to say goodbye.

“It’s hugely sad and there’s a little bit of letting Tracy go too and that is what’s going to be hardest.

“It’s nearly 40 years of building it together.

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“But we’ve also got to do the right thing by me – it’s not a retirement and I don’t know what I’m going to do.

“We’ve got to close the business and sort things out but who knows?

“There’s no final date yes – the stockroom is full so we’re open until that goes and it’s a proper genuine sale.”