Corner shop ‘frozen in time’ shuts the door 100 years after it first opened as owner retires
A CORNER shop frozen in time for a century is to close this month.
Farm store Moore and Toop was never repainted after opening in 1923 and still displays original ad boards from the time.
Owner Ernest Clothier, 77, also still uses classic Avery weighing scales.
He and wife Mary took over from the founders in 1969 and had to earn the right to use the name — with the shop sign staying up for another 54 years.
He said the couple were “too busy” to redecorate or think about modernising the business.
But he says it is now time to shut up the shop in Frome, Somerset.
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Mr Clothier added: “I’m creeping towards 80 and I want to retire.
"I don't think anyone would want to carry the business on.
We've got a warehouse as well so you'd need more space to store feed. The end of era really.
"The gentleman that has bought the space said he just wants to make it better because it's never had any work on it - I'm not sure what he plans to do after."
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Ernest added: "I will miss the people without a doubt but I'm sure I'll see most of them, if not all of them."
