Brothers thank loyal customers as Sheffield DIY store closes its doors after 55 years

Ken Taylor and Sons first opened on High Street, Swallownest, in 1963 and has provided the solution to thousands of villagers' DIY problems over the years.

But it will be more of a fond farewell next month when three brothers Ken Jr., David and Nigel close the doors to their store for the final time.

Ken Sr. first opened the High Street unit, in 1963 after deciding to leave his job as a representative for Direct Paints in Sheffield.

The shop was originally known as Swallownest Wallpaper Supplies.

Middle brother David, 65, said: "We started as a wallpaper and paint shop but gradually moved into other things. We just kept saying: 'We will get some of them' when people were asking for things or we saw stuff and the shop just getting bigger and bigger.

"It's a good job we did because I don't think we'd have lasted very long at all if we just stuck to wallpaper and paint."

The store, which offers thousands of DIY, household, pet and decorating items, has become part of the fixture and fittings of the village over the years.

It changed its name to Ken Taylor and Sons in 1974 and its slogan - 'Try Taylors' First' stuck with those living in Swallownest, Aston, Aughton and surrounding areas as it saved lengthy trips to the larger stores at Crystal Peaks shopping centre or Rotherham town centre.

David added: "It's been a long journey but a happy one with some great memories. We have loyal customers who have kept on returning to us over the years.

"My dad once said that if we could get 10 per cent of the village shopping with us then we will be okay. We've really enjoyed serving the area."

David marked 50 years of working in the store last week, having joined the family business when he left school at the age of 15.

He added: "I didn't really get a choice whether to join the firm or not. My dad said you're going to work in the shop so you can leave school early, which suited me to be honest because I didn't like school that much.

"We'd just like to thank everybody who has been in the shop over the years and thank our loyal customers, many of whom have become friends over the years.

David said the closing date for the store, which has been for sale for six years, was May 31 but that could change depending on sales.

"The unit has been for sale for six years and we tried to sell it as a going concern but there wasn't much interest so we have sold the unit," he said.

"I don't want to reveal exactly what it will be because it's not fair to the buyer but it's going to be something that Swallownest hasn't got."