AN iconic Southend shop is set to close after more than half a century of trading from the same address.

LL Wellfares, in Sutton Road, will close its doors for the last time at the end of June.

Linton Wellfare, known as Len, set up the business which sells beds, furniture and sofas in 1946 after coming out of the Navy at the end of the Second World War.

Owner Richard Wellfare has worked at the store since he was 20 and, at 67, is still unloading furniture and driving vans. He is retiring in the summer and shutting down the business.

He said the support he has had from his family and staff has helped to make the business what it is today.

He said: “Since I announced I was going to retire, the customers have been coming here in streams. I have always been guilty of being a bit here there and everywhere and I would love to spend a bit of time with my wife, Jennifer."

Another furniture store is set to take over the site in June, but will not be trading under the Wellfare name.