Family-run grocers to shut after 64 years leaving locals ‘gutted’

A POPULAR effect store has closed down aft 64 years, arsenic the owners caput into retirement.

Family owned and tally AE Hartley & Sons successful Sheffield unopen its doors 1 past clip connected October 25, aft proprietor Alan decided to discontinue astatine the property of 83.

The nonaccomplishment of the iconic market instauration which had been a mainstay astatine the Gaunt Shopping Centre successful Gleadless Valley has near the assemblage "gutted".

Locals flocked to the AE Hartley & Sons Facebook leafage to privation Alan and his household well.

One idiosyncratic said: "Gutted champion saccharine store around."

Another idiosyncratic said: "Thank you for everything, you are portion of my childhood.

"The Valley was a amended spot successful the 60s and 70s erstwhile I grew up determination and you are portion of what made it a amended place.

"Whatever you bash I anticipation you person a fantastic time, aft your decades of hard enactment you merit it. Sending you my emotion and thanks."

A 3rd idiosyncratic said: "Congratulations connected an astonishing 64 years of work to the section assemblage each of you.

"Wishing you each immoderate bully lie-ins!"

Speaking to the BBC, Alan said "I've mixed feelings.

"I'm acceptable for a remainder but I'll miss the customers truthful much.

"They're much similar friends."

Destined for a vocation successful engineering, a 19-year-old Alan Hartley turned towards the effect and veg scene, purchasing an bare portion successful November 1960.

The household owned and tally business included Alan's sister Janet, arsenic good arsenic his lad Lee and his grandchildren.

Son, Lee, ended up taking implicit the day-to-day moving successful the 1990s, portion Alan inactive remained involed.

Ahead of the store's closing, Alan's sister Janet, 89, said she was redeeming her tears.

"We've had tears from respective customers," she told the BBC.

She added: "We're a large family. That’s our strength.

"When it's backs to the wall. We contiguous a agreed front."

Over the years the shop's nostalgic vibe has besides caught the attraction of TV producers.

The exterior was utilized for the 1980s-set ITV underwear play Brief Encounter, portion successful 2022 the Disney TV bid of Sheffield-based The Full Monty utilized the store arsenic a newsagents.