ONE of the city’s last remaining second-hand book shops, once home to “Brighton’s most famous bookshop cat”, will be gone before Christmas.

Brighton Books in Kensington Gardens will soon be closing after running for more than two decades.

Owners Paul and Catherine Clement, who have been running the business since March 1996 have decided to retire, but are still planning to live in the area.

Paul said: “My best memories of running this business have been the people.

“Also I am a book person, and running this shop has given me the opportunity to see all the book shops in England and Scotland.

“One of the reasons I wanted to open a book shop in the first place is because of my love of books but also because it exposes you to many different and interesting people.”

Catherine, 60, and Paul , 68, both said they enjoyed the times when their cat, Simeon, “ran the business” with them.

Paul said: “Simeon was such a demanding cat.

“He would sit on the counter and just did all the things that cats do when they want attention.”

Simeon lived for 18 years during which he developed an online following where he gained the title of “Brighton’s most famous bookshop cat”.

Catherine said: “He was such a splendid cat and he had a serious fan club. These young girls would come in to the shop just to visit him and fuss over him. He loved it.”

Mr and Mrs Clement, who have been married for almost 40 years, said they hope the space does not become “another coffee shop”.

Paul said: “I think Brighton is saturated with coffee shops.

“I would really like to see it become another shop for selling interesting objects, but the power is out of our hands.

“Because of the demands of the large chains they need a big space so I think the small size of this shop will be its saving grace.”

Catherine will also be retiring from her job as a registrar for the Tate Gallery in London and the couple are looking forward to being able to spend more time together and try new things.

Catherine said: “I have a fond memory of standing outside the bookshop and hearing a young girl shout ‘Kensington Gardens is the best street in the world!’ I came back inside the book shop, put on some Glenn Miller, I think it was ‘Little Brown Jug’ and just thought “this is it”.

“It has been wonderful living and working here but I am happy to be closing up and having a change.”

There will be a large sale at Brighton Books starting on Saturday, November 3.