Wendy Gibson has spent decades dressing up Medway’s party people.

But after 21 years at the helm of Chatham costume emporium Wendy’s Wardrobe the 61-year old has decided to call it a day.

It’s business as usual though with 34-year-old daughter Hazel now in charge of the High Street firm.

“My mum has very small feet but very big shoes for me to have to step into,” said Hazel. “I am apprehensive. She has built up this wonderful business and all I can do is promise to do my best to carry it on now that she has decided to retire."

Wendy won’t be disappearing altogether, having agreed to continue working one day a week. She said: “I am not sorry at all to be retiring. It has been great fun. The people have been very nice and very good but when you hit 60 you realise there is another life other than work.”

Wendy’s Wardrobe started in the early 1980s by accident. Wendy, a dressmaker by trade, made costumes for her family but then friends began asking to borrow them. Word spread and business took off .

Within a short time, Wendy needed three mobile buildings to store her stock of costumes so decided to set up shop in Chatham with daughter Hazel working part-time once she was old enough.

Hazel later formed a sister company called Amy’s Antics selling accessories and wigs. Hazel has managed the business for her mother for a time but decided she wanted to make it her own and asked to buy it.

“Mum was surprised but pleased I wanted to do it for myself without having it handed to me,” she said.

As well as a planned online expansion Hazel’s focus will be on meeting changing trends.

Forget ball gowns and Austin Powers outfits, the most popular costume at the moment is a tight-fitting number called Condom Man. Demand is so high Hazel and Wendy have ordered a second one.