One of the oldest businesses in Southend will close next week.

Curtis Shoe Fitters, of Alexandra Street, has been a family firm for more than 100 years and owner Jill Curtis is devastated she will be shutting up shop for the last time on Tuesday.

She says she has no choice. The shoe sales are not making enough to cover the rent or the store's other overheads.

Jill said: "I am just heartbroken. My great-grandfather started up as a shoemaker in London towards the end of the last century. He moved his business to Southend in 1906 and it has been here ever since.

"It is a tragedy that it has had to close now, but common sense must prevail in the end."

She said Curtis was one of the few shops left in the country to still order its shoes from traditional English shoemakers.

Jill and her cousin Anna carefully fit each of their customers.

They specialise in shoes for disabled people who would otherwise have to get their footwear from hospital.

However, many of the cousins' faithful clients can no longer afford the store's prices. Jill blames low pensions for the loss of sales.

Last year Jill tried to persuade the NHS to issue vouchers for the store to disabled people, but no one was interested.

She said: "Pensions are terrible now. One lady asked me if I could reduce the price because she was a pensioner and another pays with 50p pieces she has saved up.

"It is so sad."

Younger people are also turning to cheaper high street stores for their shoes and Jill is worried there is no longer a place for the traditional hand-made leather shoe.

She added: "The shop has been my life and I want to say a big thank you to all the people who have supported us over the last 100 years and who have become friends more than customers."

Sole destroying - Jill Curtis, right, and cousin Anna-Louise Webb are heartbroken at having to close down the family business

Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

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