After 40 years in the antiques business based in Ross-on-Wye, Robin Lloyd has retired. He thought that Ross Gazette readers would be interested to see some of the pictures showing the work which was done to the 400-year-old building when he took it on.

It was in the depths of the really cold December of 1976 that Robin bought the old house on Brookend Street opposite Butcher’s Garage. He recalls that Cyril Brooks was still in business up the road, and his daughter, Rosie (Ford) was also in business, George Nicholls was still going strong around the corner and there was no sign of a supermarket ever arriving. Robin opened his antique business on the ground floor and moved into the flat above.

He said that the business was started with a few thousand pounds but in the heady days of the 1970s and 1980s, when there was an antique shop in most villages of England and Wales, it grew very swiftly. Robin found himself a part of a thriving and exciting industry as Ross-on-Wye became a hub of antique activity and business boomed as American, Australian and Dutch dealers were all regular visitors.

Robin was able to start the momentous task of restoring the front of the building, which involved removing the white stucco front to reveal what was left of an ancient Tudor close timbered building of circa 1580.

Robin told the Gazette that 40 years of great activity and wonderful memories had turned full circle and the shop has changed hands once again.

Ian and Sally Power of Ross-on-Wye have purchased the building and are moving in this week. He hopes that they will find it as an amazing place to be as he did, and he is very grateful to Ross for the 40 years of fun he enjoyed on Brookend Street.See the full story in this week’s edition of the Ross Gazette, or subscribe to our online edition here