A SHOP which has served Largs for 25 years is to close down - with the loss of one of the town's most colourful traders.

Peter Valerio is to call time on Largs Hardware Services in Stanlane Place after a quarter of a century on October 1, citing a change in people's shopping habits for the loss of his business.

The colourful Largs business owner previously made headlines after penning poetry in a novel effort to deter customers from moving online, but has finally admit defeat in his bid to keep trading.

Peter will retain the Gallery Eight operation in the premises but is already offering 25 per cent off all excess goods as part of a closing down sale for the other side of the business.

Peter, a former English teacher at Largs Academy, was also a skilful striker with Largs Thistle for many years in the '70s and '80s, told the News the operation had become unsustainable.

He said: "It is just one of these things. We are battling now against internet giants such as Amazon and other high street stores, but we maintain that we were still the cheapest around.

"We had one customer who purchased some DIY equipment online from a well known high street retailer for £36 and when they came into our shop we had it for sale for only £23.95.

"But people want the convenience of popping onto a website and stuff coming to their door. It is sad, but it is the way the world has gone for so many things."

Peter said that while he was upset to be closing the DIY part of his store, he is looking forward to continuing with his picture-framing venture.

He said: "That is still very successful and still going strong.

"I plan to keep the picture-framing side of the business going."

The Largs Hardware shop and Gallery Eight shop is based in Stanlane Place, close to the Main Street in the town centre.

With his rhyming repartee, Peter said: "We still do framing in our own workshop here, at prices that won't leave you shedding a tear. So get off your chair and stop surfing the net, shopping local is still your best bet."