Carpet shop shuts

Today marks the end of an era for a well-established Wolverhampton carpet business which will be closing its doors after nearly 100 years in the city.

The popular J Potts & Son was set up at Wolverhampton's old market in the early 1900s by Joseph Potts and has remained in the family ever since.

Joseph's grandson Gordon Potts, now aged 62, started working at the business as a schoolboy under his father before eventually taking control. But after nearly 50 years in the firm he has decided it is time to call it a day.

Gordon said: "I remember leaving school at the age of 15 on the Friday and I started work with the business the next Monday. I have pretty much worked six days a week ever since.

"It has been such a massive part of my life and I suppose I will be sad when I close the doors for the final time as it is really the end of an era, but it is the right time to do it now.

"It has been a very good business and we have had a few customers asking me to carry on. They have always come to us for carpets and said they don't know where they'll go now."

The business has seen many changes over the years as well as moving locations throughout the city.

After initially being set up in the old Wolverhampton markets - which are now the Civic Centre - the business was launched in premises in Worcester Street and School Street as well as taking over four stalls in the new market hall.

The School Street store was pulled down along with a multi-storey car park in 1998 when cracks were discovered in the structure, and the business has been at its current home in Salop Street for the past eight years.

Gordon, who lives in Codsall, said he was looking forward to spending more time with his family, including wife Patricia, daughter Joanna, son Jonathan and his three grandchildren Joel, Holly and Liam.

By Victoria Nash