A high street sweet shop closed its doors for the last time today after a decade welcoming customers.

Mr Simms Olde Sweet Shoppe in Ashford has been run by Charles and Lyn Suddards since 2010 but the pandemic and their lease ending mean they have shut up shop for good.

Speaking about why they opened the shop, 68-year-old Charles said: "Lyn was retired, I wasn't, but we wanted to move out of London and eventually we came here.

"We've loved being in the town centre and serving the local children and of course adults.

"The main reason we're leaving is because the lease is coming to an end and we had to make a decision about the renewal.

"The town - particularly the Lower High Street - hasn't been given the attention that it might have been.

"The footfall's going down and given Covid-19 we couldn't find a way of sustaining the shop."

Lyn, who used to be a mental health nurse and worked as a psychotherapist in Wormwood Scrubs prison, said: "The worst thing for us is we love the shop and would love it to still be there after us - but of course we have no say over that.

"So many people are upset about it going because it's been more than a shop.

"It's been a traditional shop where people come to see us and have a chat."

It is not known whether the prime town centre unit will be filled.

Both Suddards are Labour borough councillors, with Charles representing Victoria ward and Lyn in the Beaver ward.

As well as pursuing his hobby of art, Charles hopes to dedicate more time to his council work and "continue to be active and useful for the residents of Victoria".

Unfortunately the Queen Street resident's other hobby of attending the Stour Centre three or four times a week has been put on hold due to its recent closure for a year of refurbishment work.

Lyn, 67, also hopes to dedicate more time to campaigning for and raising awareness of issues around her represented area.

She said: "I've been doing voluntary work each year in Cameroon, raising money in the shop and St Mary's Church to make a water supply out there.

"So I'll keep doing that hopefully, but unfortunately with the coronavirus I'm not able to go this time.

"What I'm really passionate about is the health and welfare of Beaver residents and younger people.

"The inequalities are particularly notable whatever you look at in the ward - be it quality of housing, income, crime or parking - Beaver comes out high in inequality.

"I'm hoping to use the extra time I'll have to really highlight this and do all I can to reduce the plight of ward residents."

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