Brighton's beloved hardware store Dockerills shuts its doors today

Brighton institution Dockerills, in Church Street, bids farewell to shoppers when it closes its doors at 5pm.

The news, announced early this summer, left people heartbroken, with former MP Caroline Lucas saying the shop "is part of the fabric" of the city.

The Church Street store is the last Dockerills standing, though the business has been running since 1915 when Walter Dockerill opened a store in Edward Street.

The Dockerill family bought the Church Street unit in the 1970s and it has been a constant in the North Laine ever since.

Ryan Gayler, who is married to Karen, Walter Dockerill’s granddaughter, told The Argus: “It has been tough. A couple of our established staff members have left.

“The customers have consistently flowed in though. They have questions and we have reiterated our reasons, people understand. With B&Q coming round the corner, that was the nail in the coffin.”

The remaining Dockerills store in the 90s (Image: Dockerills)

Speaking about the last day, Mr Gayler said it would be a “celebration, not a wake.”

“It will be a big day,” he said.

Mr Gayler, who is one of the directors of Dockerills, added: "There isn’t the natural family progression anymore. Footfall is declining, people’s shopping baskets have changed and they are spending less.

“It has got harder and harder for traders to park nearby and traffic wardens are more unforgiving.

The Dockerills on the corner of Bond Street, where tailors Gresham Blake is now (Image: Dockerills)

“But our customer service has always won people over, our staff are very knowledgeable and we give people a traditional shopping experience you don’t get anymore.

“We always tried to keep prices fair."

READ MORE: Beloved hardware store will live on

Mr Gayler married into the Dockerill family. “I came to work here for a couple of weeks around 35 years ago, and the rest is history,” he said.

His wife Karen worked at Dockerills from school and Neville Williams, also a director, was in Mr Gayler’s class at school and have worked together for many years.

Ginger the shop cat was a beloved part of Dockerills (Image: Dockerills)

“We remember the 80s and 90s. It was really going well for us and the fruits of Walter’s labours were being rewarded,” the 58-year-old said.

“It was a long day and it was tough. We started at 8am and traders would be queuing outside.

“Going up and down the cellar stairs with stock was hard work.”

Walter Dockerill, centre, and the Dockerills team (Image: Dockerills)

In a statement, the family-run business previously said: "The family has evolved many times over the last 100 years and once again we have to react to a changing climate both economically and in the high street shopping evolution.

"With so many incredible memories and amazing staff and customers over the years, we will have mixed emotions as we celebrate the history while looking forward to a new working environment.

“We thank you once again for your support, and we hope to see you around the North Laine area as we continue to build on the legacy and freehold of our historical Regent House building.”

The Church Street Dockerills in the 1960s (Image: Dockerills)

Though the store will close, all will not be gone as its owners have a new business model to keep it afloat amid a changing trading climate.

Dockerills Direct will work with trade clients only from its first-floor office in nearby Regent House.

The shop space will be rented out.