ONE of Huddersfield's best-known stores is to close this summer after almost 70 years.

The owner of clothing retailer Wilbefort blamed changing shopping trends for the decision to shut the store, which has been trading on John William Street since 1936.

Edward Buckingham, who heads the family-run business, said the company was finding it increasingly hard to compete against out-of-town shopping centres and chain stores.

He said the shop, which has five staff, will probably close in May or June.

The Wakefield shop will shut at the same time, with the loss of four jobs.

Wilbefort was founded in 1929 in Halifax, when it began supplying wholesale markets with overalls and coats.

It opened a store in Silver Street, Halifax, before setting up shop at 44 John William Street in 1936. It has remained in the same shop - facing St George's Square - ever since.

Wilbefort became a specialist in rainwear selling anoraks, jackets and coats and major brands including Barbour, Burberry and Aquascutum.

Mr Buckingham said: "It is an institution in the town. It is with a lot of sadness that we are closing.

"There is competition from out-of- town shopping centres and we are not making the money we used to," he added.

Mr Buckingham said the arrival of Kingsgate had been great for big retailers, but had put more pressure on small, independent traders.

But he paid tribute to the store's "extremely loyal" customers - and praised efforts to boost businesses in the St George's Square area.

"There is a new buzz about the place," he said.

"We have had the flats development at John William Court and that seems to have kick-started a revival in this part of town."

Mr Buckingham will keep an interest in the town. His other business, Lion Estates and Investments Company, owns Lion Chambers above the Wilbefort store.

* Have you memories of shopping at Wilbefort?

Perhaps you bought a raincoat there many years ago?

Contact the Examiner with your memories, by letter, fax on 01484 437789 or e-mail to editorial@ examiner.co.uk