A leather goods shop in Dereham that has been in the same family for nearly 100 years has announced that it is closing down.
G.D. Cook & Son in Dereham which is closing
GD Cook in the Market Place is expected to close its doors for the last time at Christmas once its stock has been sold.
Owner Nigel Cook, who runs the shop with wife Rosalind, said they were retiring and planning to do some travelling.
'It is something we talked about, when we reached our 60s that we would retire and close the shop,' he said. 'It is certainly not to do with any fall in trade - we have lots of very loyal customers, many who have been coming here for years.'
Mr Cook joined the business in 1979 and eventually took over from his parents Cecil and Peggy Cook but it has been in the family since 1917.
A leather shop is thought to have been established on the site in 1779. 'An advert went in the Norwich Mercury for a saddler in that year,' said Mr Cook.
Initially the shop was a saddlery but in recent years has stocked high quality footwear, clothing and leather goods.
Its most popular brands have been Radley, Hotter and Rieker and the shop will be offering 20 percent off everything in its closing down sale.
Mr Cook said: 'It will be very strange not coming in to work every day.'
* Do you have memories of GD Cook from years ago? Email kathryn.cross@archant.co.uk.
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