After 55 years of trading in Ross-on-Wye Mervyn James closes its doors today, Saturday, December 9th.

The James family said “Mervyn James took pride in providing a quality product and service to his customers. He championed Ross and its independence businesses. Yet, 55 Broad Street became much more than a business. “A landmark of Ross life, it was a place where people would go not just to shop but to take some time from the ups and downs of life. The walls echoed with laughter and many a time the world was set to rights over a cup of tea in the flat upstairs. Customers left as friends. And presiding over it all, the much-missed Mervyn James - who loved to laugh and never lost his sense of curiosity about the world; never lost his joy in the sheer fun of life. He was the London Welsh boy who became a true modern-day Man of Ross.”

They continued “To all our customers, staff past and present and friends, the James family wish to say a heartfelt thank you. As Mervyn would have put it - that’s all folks.”

The family have invited customers and fellow traders to join them in raising a glass on Saturday 9th in the shop as a final farewell.