A MUCH-LOVED hardware company is to close down after 72 years.

Family-run Cliffords started in Kemp Town, Brighton, in 1946 when Douglas Clifford and his wife Eileen started buying sackfuls of loose assorted nuts and bolts, sorting them to type and size and selling them on.

Soon car components joined the product range and Cliffords evolved to stock bicycle goods, clothing and accessories.

It eventually moved to School Road in Aldrington.

The couple’s three sons grew up working in the shop, running it together to the present day.

But the company will close its doors for the last time next month as developers move in to the area.

Bernard Clifford, 72, has been working in the shop since 1960.

He said: “It’s incredibly bittersweet – we’re all sad to see it go.

“But ultimately we have struggled to compete with internet shopping, which has forced down our profit margins.

“Because of that, we’re unable to put any money toward moving.

“My brother and I are past retirement age anyway, so it’s time to let it go.”

Bernard currently runs the shop alongside his brothers Alan, 70, and Paul, 57.

During its lifetime, Cliffords has been forced to move three times due to redevelopment – first from its site in Kemp Town Place to Portland Street, and then to New England Road before moving to its current location.

The business has always found a way to bounce back in the past, setting up shop elsewhere with sometimes as little notice as a week.

However, the internet age meant Cliffords no longer had any extra funds available for the expensive costs of moving.

Since it announced its closure, buyers from as far as Worthing and Eastbourne have flocked to visit.

Bernard added: “We’ve had some really loyal customers over the years, and

hundreds of visitors this month

who have come in purely to say goodbye.”

Staff have been long serving too, with some staying with the family for as long as 30 years.

The company has appeared in the press numerous times over the years.

In 1979 a hand grenade was uncovered in a cellar in a house bought by the company and in 1991 one of the shops was crashed into.

Bernard has plenty of plans post-retirement.

He said: “I have a camper van bought a few years ago, and plan on taking my wife – and perhaps the dog – on a road trip around Europe.

“Croatia is the top of my list.”

Cliffords is running a 25 per cent off sale until its closure on March 3.