End of an era as Sedgley family firm closes after 55 years

County Wallpapers, in Dudley Road, is shutting after 55 years of trading in the village.

Owner Deborah Evans is retiring from running the wallpaper and paint specialists which was started by her father Debney Fuidge, who came from Droitwich, in 1951.

The business moved to Sedgley in 1961 and set up home in the former Picture House cinema which was then re-named Wallpaper House.

Mrs Evans, whose husband Trevor retired from County Wallpapers 15 years ago, said that this weekend will be the final days of trading for the shop which was open seven days a week.

She said that the building had been sold to Dudley business Furniture for the Home, which currently trades online and plans to make the old cinema its showroom. It is due to open before Christmas.

Mrs Evans said it was sad to be closing the family business, but three of the members of staff were also retiring and only two would be seeking new employment as a result of the closure.

"It has come to the natural time to stop. It is the end of an era, but the time is right," said Mrs Evans.

"I wish the new people, who are local as well, every success."

Mrs Evans said she and the staff had been touched to receive a farewell presentation from Dulux for whom they had been a colour and advice centre for many years.

The Dudley Road building, which dates from the 1880s, was originally a drill hall before it was converted to a cinema.

The Picture House opened in about 1912. It showed silent movies and had a 631 capacity at its peak. The cinema closed on January 2, 1960.