Cuckfield lost one of its iconic shops when Wealden Stores closed its doors for the final time last month.

Janine Watts and Dawn Hall have been running the shop for 17 years and held a farewell party for friends and regular customers on Saturday 27th January.

Dawn said: “Yes we’ve finally retired. We had a fabulous send-off party and it was lovely to see so many friends here.

“Wealden Stores was built around 1880. It was a privilege being custodians of the last surviving village shop in Whitemans Green.

“Leaving is always sad but it was the right time for us. We’re moving to the Isle of Wight. A beautiful place with a less hurried pace of life.”

The shop and premises attached have been bought by a local family and it is understood they want to keep some form of retail outlet going, which is great news for the village.