A popular business that has been a fixture of Herne Bay high street for 56 years is set to close its doors for good.

Roger's Menswear will shut within the next six months after a deal to sell the retailer recently fell through.

With the building housing the outfitters - which sells suits, bow ties, cufflinks and suspenders - now on the market, owner Tony Symons has decided to start clearing out his stock.

"I’m obviously sad the shop is closing," the 68-year-old told KentOnline.

"I had hoped it would carry on, but that’s not to be.

"The shop is part of Herne Bay - it’s been here forever and now it is not going to be."

The store was launched by businessman Roger Wisbey out of its original High Street base in 1967, before expanding into Broadstairs and Ramsgate. The Herne Bay branch moved to its current location in William Street in 1999.

The great-grandfather - who sadly died two years ago - ran the store until his retirement in 1999, at which point he handed over the reins to Mr Symons.

"I was a customer first, I've never really shopped anywhere else," Mr Symons said.

“I always say I was headhunted because I was working on the ferries and Roger said ‘why don’t you come ashore?’

"He offered me £5,000 less a year than I was earning, but I jumped at the chance.

"I never thought then that that would be it for the next 40 years."

One of Herne Bay's longest-running firms, Roger's struggled during the pandemic.

Mr Symons stresses trade has since improved considerably, and that he had hoped to find someone to carry the business on.

“I had someone who was going to take it on and sadly they had to back away for a few reasons, not least because the owner of the building has put the building up for sale," he explained.

“If it sells, there will be a whole new landlord who’ll want new leases and it will just be very complicated.

“It’s not beyond the realm of possibility that someone could come along wanting to open a menswear shop because it’s a lovely town and business is good.”

"The shop is part of Herne Bay - it’s been here forever and now it is not going to be..."

The building - including the flat above the store - is being advertised for £340,000.

Despite being unable to find a successor, Mr Symons, who will celebrate his 69th birthday next month, believes now is the right time to retire.

Roger's will launch a retirement sale on Wednesday, February 1, with the owner expecting to clear the last of his stock in six months' time.

"I will be sad to go, but I'm happy to be retiring as I've been getting out of bed to go to work for 54 years - and that's a long time,” Mr Symons continued.

"I love it. I’ve always loved doing this."