ONE of Weymouth's longest running fashion boutiques is to close its doors, marking the end of an era after 54 years in the town.

Family-run ladies' clothing shop, Lady Birds, was first established by husband and wife Michael and Roma Pye in 1966, originally called 'Trendset' - and the business quickly expanded into Dorchester and Yeovil.

The name 'Lady Birds' came about after Mrs Pye retired for a few years before opening a new boutique near the former Dorchester Prison under the name 'Jail Birds,' later moving the shop to Weymouth as 'Lady Birds'.

Dorset Echo:

Sadly, Michael Pye passed away several years ago, but Roma and her sister Mary have continued to run Lady Birds together in St Mary Street.

Roma, 79, spoke about her decision to permanently close at the end of this month in order to retire, as the lease is coming to an end.

She said: "It is the end of an era. We must have been one of the first boutiques in Weymouth.

"We've done very well over the years thanks to fantastic local support from all our ladies - we were the original 'dedicated followers of fashion.'

"I had a lady come in from Canada recently who said, 'I had a very strange feeling walking in here - I remember coming here every Friday to spend my wages when I worked in the town'."

The shop has remained busy since reopening following the coronavirus lockdown.

"We've been very busy as soon as we reopened after covid," Mrs Pye added.

"We also have regulars who visit whenever they come on holiday. One man actually joked, 'Thank goodness you're closing - every time we come to Weymouth my wife spends a fortune!'"

"All our ladies have said how sad they are we're closing. I'd like to say a very big thank you to everyone who has supported us over the years."

Fashion is in the family genes, and Roma said she will be spending her retirement helping daughter Emma who owns a flourishing children's clothing business, 'Baby Birds', based at the Link Park estate in Charlestown.