After more than half a century in business, a local greengrocer is saying farewell to its loyal customers.

E. S. Hulse & Sons on Cell Barnes Lane has served the people of St Albans since 1963, but is shutting shop after the recent death of owner Pam Hulse.

Pam started the business with husband Eddie Hulse, and it blossomed into a well known green-grocer and wholesale business.

The wholesale business is set to continue under the care of their son, Laurence Hulse, who said: “This has been a very difficult decision for us to make.

“The business has outgrown the Cell Barnes storage unit so we had no option but to look for new premises, and with Jackie [Webb, manager] deciding to retire from shop life after 45 years to join us in Batford, it came to a natural conclusion.

“We would like to thank everyone for 50 wonderful years of support; as a family we grew up here and leaving will be a very sad day for all.”

The shop will close next Friday and many of their customers are sad to see them go.

One customer said: “It is a big loss to the local community but it was time to move on.”