ONCE all the discounted stock is gone from the inside of Mankim Models, then it will be time to shut up shop.

And it is going fast, says owner Kim Manning, 57, who has been behind the same counter since a boy when his parents Pauline and Victor took on the premises.

Mankim Models, now the only railway model shop of its kind in Colchester, has been open for about 42 years.

It has evolved from the former car hire and then stationery printers which Kim's parents ran, but 213 Shrub End Road is a piece of history which has not been easy to turn his back on.

He said: "Some of my customers burst into tears when I told them because we've been here for so long.

"Lots of people started their first train set here. Someone the other day bought a train set for their little boy because they had their first one from us."

He added: "It hasn't been a decision I came to lightly

"I started the model side of the business with my business partner who had just left the Army but he was keen on model railways, and had the get up and go to get things done.

"I had the knowledge of model railways and my parents had the premises so we began the shop together 40 years ago.

"But he soon got a bit bored. His idea of a hobby was working at the mercenary and mine was this.

"When he left I carried it on and built it up."

Kim's parents died in close succession more than 20 years ago but he continued progressing his boyhood hobby into a niche business with wife Debbie, who he lives with in South Woodham Ferrers.

They stock model locomotives, die-cast vehicles and classic Scalextric cars which are all being sold alongside Kim's quirky 1957 Morris Minor van used for deliveries and shows.

But unlike most independent retailers forced to close in the past year, Colcestrian Kim is not blaming business rates or the internet for the shop's fate, although online retail has not helped.

Instead it is Government rules and regulations and a lack of support which is unfairly impacting small businesses.

He said: "It's hard running a shop now. Local banks are all closing, there's minimum wage requirements, pensions, it's just such hard work.

"The rules and regulations for small businesses now are so complicated.

"New account rules are coming in soon which means we have to do our accounts a lot more often which will mean more paperwork and it will cost us more money.

"You're constantly being hassled about one thing or another.

"Politicians are always saying they want to help small businesses but you're tied down in red tape all the time."

Nonetheless Kim will miss sharing his passion with the customers who will now have to travel to Chelmsford for similar items.

At 57 though, it is time for a well deserved rest.

He said: "Working for yourself means you end working seven days of the week and neglect jobs at home like the gardening so I'll be catching up on those things and my family."

Visit mankimmodels.co.uk for more information or call 01206 574929.