It is the end of an era in Worcester Park as a beloved 'gem' of a shop prepares to close for the final time after more than 50 years in business.

Broadway Bargains, in Central Road, opened in 1966 selling everything from lace to ribbons, trims, birthday cards and stationery.

Owner Rose Hyams, 87, opened the modest shop all those years ago and her ill health is a factor in the decision to close.

Staff member Brenda Petley, 76, told us: “What a laugh it is working here, this is great fun.”

Brenda has worked in the shop for 15 years and known Rose since 1971. She added: "The reason it’s called Broadway Bargains is that Rose’s father owned Broadway Bargains on Wimbledon Broadway and she worked with him for a while and then he died and she started up on her own.”

Her colleague Lesley Thompson, 67, said: “It’s so unique, coming in you would think you are in the 50s and 60s era. People walk in and they think they are going back in time. It reminds them of their childhood.

“The saying is that we can always go to Broadway Bargains and get what we want; you can’t get it anywhere else, we know that if we want something they will have it or know what to suggest.”

Loyal customers have reportedly been upset to hear of the shop's closure, with one even bursting into tears.

Over the years Rose and the people at Broadway Bargains have raised money for charity.

Lesley added that people send in things like knitted blankets and cardigans with all the money raised from sales going towards Macmillan.

She said: “The money Rose has raised for charity has also gone to charities like help the heroes, dogs for blind and cancer research. We have a jar and people give loose change. Rose has done a lot for the community,” Lesley said.

Adele Rowe, an Epsom resident, spoke about what the shop means to her.

She said: “Despite living in Worcester Park in the 1980s it's only a few years ago that I heard of this gem of a shop. Since then I've regularly travelled there from Epsom, to see what they're selling and make my pick from its tremendous range of goods.

“One December my daughter choose ribbons as presents for all her dolls and bears, at just 30 or 40p a metre she was able to get plenty. Today she's a teenager and came away with a bag of lace, ribbons and material. Sadly today's visit was probably my last.”

The date for the closure is yet to be confirmed but goods have started being collected.