A TRADER has spoken of his sadness after announcing his Beaconsfield furniture shop will close down after nearly 50 years.

Peter Knight, an upmarket furnisher which has supplied items to the Queen, will close its doors for the last time in September.

Director Peter Knight, who is set to retire, told the Bucks Free Press: “Retailing is changing dramatically and business is falling away. Today you've got supermarkets becoming more like department stores.

“There's no question about it, we are obviously very sad. Just look what's happened to Hearns as well.”

Iconic High Wycombe shoe shop John Hearns went into liquidation last week after trading in the town for 149 years.

Peter Knight, on London End, has a Royal Warrant and has supplied 'personal items' to the Royal Family for many years.

Mr Knight, who lives in southwest London, founded the shop in 1963 after running a furnishing shop in Surrey.

Richard Keith, Beaconsfield's deputy mayor, said: “This is a great shame and it will be a loss for the Old Town.

“It's a worry at the moment when a retail unit closes because it's a question of what replaces it - a dead shop frontage is a very sad thing to see. Peter Knight was a reason for people to come Old Beaconsfield.”

Alastair Pike, who owns artsmart on London End, said a shortage of parking in the Old Town continues to be a "major problem" for businesses.

Mr Pike, who is the interim president of Buckinghamshire Chamber of Commerce, added: “New initiatives must not ignore these issues, if they do then the opportunity for real progress will be wasted.

“The redevelopment of the Peter Knight site could rejuvenate the Old Town and neighbouring shopkeepers will I’m sure be looking on with great interest in the months that lie ahead.”