A “magical” hardware shop which sold everything from ladders to firewood will be missed by neighbours.

Langley Hardware, in Langley Road, closed on May 14.

The hardware store has been sold but it is unclear what will happen to the premises.

Jean Harper owns Masquerade Fancy Dress, in Langley Road, and believes the woman who used to run it has now retired after running the shop since the 1970s.

Ms Harper admitted it was “upsetting” to see so many independent retailers closing recently despite thriving for decades.

She said: “I am very sad to see the shop go, as it is such a shame when little businesses are sold like this.

“I am getting a bit isolated as so many independent shops are disappearing.

“It has been there forever and it has always been such a useful shop but now it is empty.”

Ms Harper said it was a shop she had used regularly since she opened her own shop more than 25 years ago.

She said: “We used to go past every day and see the shop filled with everything you could need, including ladders and bath taps.

“It was one of those old fashioned shops that sold everything and was a magical shop full of all sorts of things.

“You used to get what you needed over there and if it wasn’t in stock, the lady who ran it would get it for you.”

Ms Harper is concerned about what will happen to the empty shop and fears it could be redeveloped into flats.

She said: “We will miss it however, there is not much we can do about any new plans for it.

“I would prefer the road to be full of shops but unfortunately every time a shop closes down it turns into houses and flats rather than a new small business.

“It will definitely be a huge loss to the community and passing traffic, as what are people going to do if they need hardware?

“They will have to travel far and wide just to buy fork handles.”