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Why owners are closing Skinner’s Electrical Supplies in High Street, Deal, after 14 years in town

A married couple have taken the difficult decision to close their much-loved high street business, which they have run for the past 14 years.

Skinner’s Electrical Supplies in Deal will shut for the last time on February 22.

The proprietors, Keith and Lesley Skinner, aged 70 and 66, believe it is the “ideal time” for them to retire, with the lease on the independent shop ending in March.

But Mr Skinner, a grandfather-of-four, admits that taking a well-earned rest after more than half a century of hard graft will feel strange at first.

“When you've been working like I have for 55 years in the electrical trade it's a big loss and a big stand down from what you're used to doing day by day,” he said.

“We've had a very lovely range of customers coming in and they talk to us socially as well as business-wise.

“The wife is pleased to be stopping - I've got mixed feelings.”

Keith and Lesley Skinner will close their electrical supplies shop in Deal next month
Keith and Lesley Skinner will close their electrical supplies shop in Deal next month

However, he says the couple’s health has “not been so good” over the past six months, which is another reason to close the shop.

“We feel it's time to stop,” he said.

“And the fact that our lease is coming up for a renewal - we feel it's the ideal time.”

The couple put up a closure notice in their shop window and the news was spread on social media.,

One commentator said: “Another small business going from our high street. You have more than earned a well-deserved retirement.”

The notice of closure on the shop window of Skinner's Electrical Supplies in Deal
The notice of closure on the shop window of Skinner's Electrical Supplies in Deal

Another said: “Such a brilliant and helpful place - you will be very, very much missed.”

Skinner’s, which opened in High Street in January 2011, sells a range of heating and lighting products as well as lightbulbs, batteries, extractor fans, kettles and travel plugs.

Mr Skinner has been in the electrical trade since leaving school at the age of 14. Previous businesses he has worked for have included Wyman Electrical in Sandwich over 15 years.

The couple have worked at times together in the electrical goods retail and wholesale business over the decades.

They live in Deal and got married in March 1978.

Mrs Skinner was born in Sandwich and Mr Skinner's early childhood was in Holloway in north London. He moved to Deal on his 10th birthday.

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