Jim's Place: Leeds brothers pay fond farewell as family-run city centre store closes after 50 years

Jim’s Place was opened by their dad on Call Lane in 1978 and has provided shoe repairs, key cutting and other services and products to generations of customers.

But at 5pm today (Wednesday) the shutters of their compact store, which looks out at the Corn Exchange, closed for the final time, with the brothers both looking forward to retirement.

They said that running the independent family business year after year has been rewarding but, naturally, has had its challenges.

Philip, 60, said: “We have laughed. We have cried.”

John, 63, jumped in: “And we’ve have fought!

“A dad and his two sons working in small confines; it can get fractious. But generally it’s been great.”

The store was opened by Jim Taylor from Pudsey in 1978 after he “took the plunge” and decided to set up on his own.

Philip said: “It was a big gamble at the time but obviously it was a success. And now after 50 years it’s time to close that door.”

They said their dad is “still going good” at the age of 88, having retiring 28 years ago and leaving the store to his two sons.

John said that they have witnessed “many changes” to the city centre from their vantage point over the years, adding: “Some for the good and some for the bad.”

Philip said that Jim’s Place was one of the oldest independently-run family businesses in the city centre, adding: “It will be sad when we close at 5 o’clock but there will also be a bit of relief as it’s been hard leading up to it thinking ‘we’ve made the decision and now we need to stick to it’.”

They said that closing would allow them to “rest and reflect”, with John adding: “It’s time for a well-earned drink.”

Philip said: “We just want to say thanks very much to our regular and lost customers for the good times and their loyal support.

“All three of us have had a very good living out of it.”