It is the end of an era for a well known Largs shop in the town centre, IBAC, which is closing its doors at the end of the year, the owners have announced.
The 'News' understands that a national retailer will be moving into the premises in the new year, but the owners are staying tight-lipped as to who the new operators will be.
A note appeared on the Main Street business's website last week which stated: "IBAC has been in business in Largs for over 40 years. We have now decided to retire. The shop will close on the 30 December 2017. All gift vouchers and credit notes must be redeemed by the 30 December 2017. We would like to thank all the customers who have supported us over the years."
The gift shop has three directors, Alan and Jennifer Neilson, and Jean Malcolm, and has spent 41 years in Largs, 34 in Main Street, and seven in Nelson Street.
Alan Neilson said: "It has been great, we have been well supported by the Largs people, and we have made a lot of friends and met good people. We have also had some very upset people this week; it will be sad but we can't go on forever. We are all getting older and we decided it was the right decision to retire at the end of year.
"We are going to refurbish the flats above IBAC and manage the,. The shop has to be refurbished and made separated, and will be separately leased out.
"We have a national retailer in tow, and they will be taking over from January 1, but we are not anticipating it to re-open until around May 2018."