AN ANTIQUES tradesman is calling time after 20 successful years working in Maldon.

Geoff Bird will be turning 70 in October, and feels it is the time to retire from running his business Maldon Second-hand and Antique Centre in Mill Road.

Mr Bird has run and lived above the centre for just under 20 years, having run previous businesses in Hatfield Peverel.

The centre takes in a huge range of antique and furniture products from house clearings and donations, selling them on as second-hand goods.

It has previously been used as a pet shop, bike shop. Through the building’s business history, Geoff has remained there the longest.

Despite consistently good business over the two decade period, numerous health troubles and family recommendations encouraged Geoff to call time on his role and retire.

He said: “My decision to step down from running the place and retire has been brewing for a while, but in the past couple of months have had problems with my heart, having to go into hospital several times, and it put things into perspective.

“My family, friends and doctor have been recommending for a while that I take a step back, so with my 70th approaching on October 15 it feels like the right time to do it.

“We’ve had a very good run, the level of trade and business we’ve had hasn’t really gone down in the time we’ve been here, it’s been very consistent.”

Geoff has collected a staggering amount of items over the years running the centre, with many interesting pieces being sold onto the public or donated to various charity stores in the town.

Geoff said: “We’ve seen jewellery, pottery, furniture, brass antiques, historical books and pictures all come through the store and gone onto new owners.

“You never can really say what’s been the most interesting item or sale, for many things a lot may find boring or mundane will be really fascinating to others.

“It’s a fifty-fifty split over business between clearing houses and selling on things. We do shift a lot of stuff, but also have a great deal stored up.

“We’ve served people from all over Mid Essex in Braintree, Chelmsford, Witham and Colchester, so we’ve dealt with many people.”

From now until October Geoff is running a clearance sale on everything in the store, as it will all have to be gone by the time he leaves.

Despite this, he is open to offers for someone to buy the business from him. He added: “If a good enough offer comes my way, I’d be happy to take them up on it, or for it to become something else entirely.

“I’ve got a few months left to get everything shifted, and after retiring and leaving the business I would like to stay in Maldon. It’s been very good to me, and it’s a nice little town.

“A big thanks go to everyone that’s worked with me, offered their services or bought anything, it’s been a great 20 years.” Call 01621 841419.