THE family behind a legendary party store have issued a heartfelt thank you to customers for their loyalty as they prepare to shut up shop after 70 years.

Sancto party shop, on London Road, Westcliff, has become an institution in the area with generations of families using the shop to pick up party decorations and fancy dress costumes.

Echo: Closing - SanctoClosing - Sancto (Image: Tanya Solly)

However, last month the Solly family announced their striking red and yellow shop would be closing for good.

It comes as Alan and his wife Mirjam, their son Steve, and daughter Anna, now feel the “time is right” to hang up the keys and take a break.

Echo: Owners - Alan and Mirjam Solly Owners - Alan and Mirjam Solly (Image: Tanya Solly)

Ahead of Saturday’s final day of business, Alan said: “It’s incredibly sad for us to be saying goodbye to our customers who have shown nothing but tremendous loyalty and support to us.

“Since the announcement, we’ve been bombarded with letters from people pleading with us to stay open, however, we all feel the time is right for us to sell up and close the long chapter in our lives.

“In the run-up to this Saturday’s closure, we’ve been selling our party items at 50 per cent off, which is why we’ve been really busy.

Echo: Sale - 50 per cent off all itemsSale - 50 per cent off all items (Image: Tanya Solly)

“We thank the many people who have supported us over the years and truly appreciate each and every one of them.”

In 1953, Alan’s dad Charles bought the business from Mr W.E. Sancto, which he founded in 1910, for “only £100”.

Echo: Founder - Mr W.E. SanctoFounder - Mr W.E. Sancto (Image: Tanya Solly)

He then set up shop in West Road, Westcliff, where bunting was already hitting the shelves.

With it’s “sheer popularity”, the business moved into 99 High Street, in Clifftown Road, and then on to London Road in the late 60s where it has resided ever since.

For more than 52 years, Alan and Mirjam have taken the reigns, with their son Steve working there full-time since 1993, and their daughter Anna since 2000, and have all been welcoming guests with beaming smiles.

The last few years have been difficult for the business, but Alan insisted the support of customers has made it much easier.

He added: “We’ve gone through some tough times over the years, especially in more recent times with the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis, but we only got through those hard periods thanks to the love from our customers. But now, we just believe the time is right for us to close.”