Leicestershire store to close after nearly 30 years

A longstanding Leicestershire shop will close its doors for the final time this weekend. Keith's Discount Carpets has been in the same location for nearly 30 years, but is now set to

move entirely online. Owner Keith Ball opened the shop in Wigston's Oadby Road in 1997, but this Saturday (May 31) marks the store's final day of trading from the premises. The

business's history stretches back further than the shop; it was founded in 1983, with Keith promoting his wares via the Leicester Mercury's advertising pages in the 1980s. Keith

said that with the store's lease about to run out, he took the decision to retire and put his feet up. The 67-year-old told LeicestershireLive: "We’ve been 28 years in this shop,

but I started the business in 1983 through the Leicester Mercury in the ads in the back selling carpets. I’ve got a place abroad though so I’m going to relax and spend some time there as I

retire." READ MORE: Iconic Leicester music store Intasound celebrates grand opening after relocating Keith, who is originally from Thurnby Lodge, said that after the business's

humble beginnings, he started to attend markets across Leicestershire. That broadened his clientele base, as he started getting orders from people in Melton and Rutland. Keith said the

business could have stopped two years ago, following the death of his wife, which "changed a lot". It continued, however, and Keith said that he had "enjoyed" serving

customers from his store across the decades, and had loved his time in Wigston. After his retirement, Keith's business will be run by his daughter from an online base. He said he was

delighted it was being kept in the family. He said: "She’ll come around with the van with the sample books and give people quotes, so the business will continue. It's great that

it's staying in the family. "I just hope she can make it work. I mean, the name has been around long enough, so hopefully she has a good chance to keep it going." Of the

people who had bought from his business over the years, Keith said: "I’m thankful to all the customers. They have been very good to me and over the years you get to know them."

Keith's Discount Carpets store will see its last day of trade tomorrow (Saturday, May 31). The business wil be trading under the same name online. WE ARE NOW BRINGING YOU THE LATEST

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