'Emotional' final day after 69 years for veteran Cromer shop owners

Paul and Yvonne Kirkham opened their Church Street store for the final time, marking the end of an era for the town's retails scene.

Paul and Yvonne Kirkham, who ran K Hardware in Cromer for over 60 years. (Image: Archant 2021)

Mrs Kirkham said that on the final morning they opened (Wednesday, December 22) they were greeted by scores of regular customers and old friends who had come to wish them well.

She said: "We had lots of people come in to say farewell.

"We've had some wonderful comments.

A scene from Paul and Yvonne Kirkham final day running K Hardware in Cromer (Image: Archant 2021)

"We were very pleased and delighted. It's very emotional, especially for my husband because it has been his life's work."

The couple were also given some vouchers from members of staff and others to spend on gardening - one of their great passions outside the shop.

Mr Kirkham's father started the business in 1952, and his son joined him aged just 14. Mrs Kirkham started lending a hand at the business after they married in the 1960s, and officially joined the firm in 1997.

K Hardware in Cromer on its final day open after Paul and Yvonne Kirkham have been running it for over 60 years. (Image: Archant 2021)

The business expanded to include a builders' merchant, a laundry, hardware store branches in Sheringham and Aylsham, and a toy department above the Cromer branch.

Mrs Kirkham said they were planning to spend Christmas with members of their extended family, before taking things easy for a while.

She said: "We're hoping that next year we'll be able to travel, at least in this country, if not abroad, we'll have to see what restrictions there are then.

K Hardware in Cromer on its final day open, after Paul and Yvonne Kirkham have been running it for over 60 years. (Image: Archant 2021)

"We'd enjoy going to Derbyshire, Yorkshire, Devon, Cornwall and Scotland, all of the beautiful places in this country.

"We're also hoping to go to Ireland for the first time, and if we could go to Switzerland, that would be fantastic. We love the mountains there. We've got lots in mind.

Cromer's town crier, Mark Northway, at K Hardware in Cromer where owners Paul and Yvonne Kirkham marked their final day running the store. (Image: Archant 2021)

"We'll enjoy life and in the summer, we've got the garden."

Mrs Kirkham said they would miss their members of staff, who had become like family over the years. They included Trudie Hamley, Lorraine Creasey and Gail Beck.

Customers and old friends dropped by to wish Paul and Yvonne Kirkham well on their final day K Hardware in Cromer (Image: Archant 2021)

Customers and old friends dropped by to wish Paul and Yvonne Kirkham well on their final day K Hardware in Cromer (Image: Archant 2021)

Customers and old friends dropped by to wish Paul and Yvonne Kirkham well on their final day K Hardware in Cromer (Image: Archant 2021)

Paul and Yvonne Kirkham, pictured with their family. The couple ran K Hardware in Cromer for over 60 years. (Image: Archant 2021)

Paul and Yvonne Kirkham, who ran K Hardware in Cromer for over 60 years. (Image: Archant 2021)

Paul and Yvonne Kirkham, pictured with their staff, at K Hardware in Cromer (Image: Archant 2021)

Paul and Yvonne Kirkham, who ran K Hardware in Cromer for over 60 years. (Image: Archant 2021)

Paul and Yvonne Kirkham, pictured with Cromer's town crier Mark Northway. The Kirkhams have been running K Hardware in Cromer for over 60 years. (Image: Archant 2021)