Hundreds of people have expressed their sadness at the closure of one of Brighton's most loved shops.

Dockerills, a longstanding hardware shop in Church Street, Brighton, announced yesterday it will close in September after around 50 years in the street.

The business has been running since 1915 when Walter Dockerill opened a store in Edward Street.

Caroline Lucas, former MP for Brighton Pavilion, said: "I am genuinely gutted. Dockerills is part of the fabric of Brighton.

"It's hard to imagine them gone. This special place is a synonym for all things hardware.

"You needed keys cutting, random tools, cleaning products, door knobs, broomsticks? The answer was always Dockerills."

Current and former Brighton residents reminisced on their memories of the shop.

READ MORE: Brighton's beloved hardware store and locksmith Dockerills to close after 109 years

Carole Dowsing said: "Very sad news, I used to work next door to Dockerills, in John Proctor Travel, and have great memories of Malcolm Dockerill popping in to us with his cheeky banter, and lovely Ginger the shop cat, who would also pop in to see us and sit on our computer keyboards.

"The staff are always friendly and knowledgeable and you could get items there not available elsewhere. So sad, yet another Brighton institution gone."

Tim Baker said: "I lived in Brighton for many years and shopped there regularly.

"When you walked in it even smelt right. Difficult to describe, but you just knew you were in a traditional hardware shop. The staff were a pleasure to deal with and they stocked things that places like B&Q did not."

Gill Ditch added: "That is so sad. This is a shop I use and have relied on for our hardware needs for years.

"The staff are brilliant and knowledgeable and the prices are fair.

"We are so so sorry to hear the news of this. This shop is a stalwart of North Laine and it represents Brighton’s spirit."

Allan Robinson said: I was lucky enough to work at Dockerills in the mid 80s, when I was 17 to 19 years old. I made lifelong friends and was very well looked after by Malcolm and his family. This is very sad news."