A SHOPKEEPER who turned a hobby into career is closing up shop after 30 years.

Rick Irvine opened Rin-Tin-Tin in Brighton as an outlet for his interest in collecting vintage advertising and ephemera.

But despite his father and grandfather being shopkeepers he never had any intention of following in their footsteps.

Art school graduate Mr Irvine, 65, blamed his age and a difficult business environment for his decision to close his North Road, Brighton shop.

He said: “I trained as a graphic designer so the shop came out of being a collector rather than any desire to be a shopkeeper.

“I had no interest in owning a shop, but I ended up in one for 30 years.

“I’m closing out of a combination of getting old, business not being so good and not wanting to be tied down to the shop anymore.”

An article in The Argus announcing the opening of the shop carried the headline ‘Yesterday’s junk is tomorrow’s treasure’.

Mr Irvine, 65, added: “I always say it’s a bit like beach combing, picking up things that people would chuck away.

“I wouldn’t say I’ve been squeezed out but its hard running a shop these days.

“Overheads have inevitably crept up and the way people shop is very different.

“There’s a lot of competition online. If you’re not on the internet – which I’m not – it works against you.

“But equally people like to come in and pick things up and look at them.”

He came to Brighton aged 30 to work in graphic design and opened the shop to sell old advertising materials, 1930s clothing, magazines and newspapers.

The artefacts are generally from the 1920s to 1980s, with a selection of vintage glamour and pin-up section images.

A selection of toys including robots, pop culture and homeware items are available – as well as a bespoke picture framing.

Rin-Tin-Tin will close its doors for the final time at the end of the month.

Mr Irvine will continue to sell his stock online.