Jackson's fruit shop closing down after serving customers for over a century

At more than 400 years old it is one of the oldest and most distinctive buildings in a town – and now it’s up for sale.

Brenda Jackson outside Jackson’s Country Fruit Stores, which her husband’s parents bought in 1959

The Grade II listed property in Mill Street, Stafford, has been home to a family-run fruit shop for more than six decades.

But now it is closing its doors after the owner decided to retire.

Jackson’s County Fruit Stores had been a fruit shop for over a century.

But now, because of declining sales, the building called Primrose Cottage which dates back to 1610, is on the market for £450,000

The famous County Fruit Stores shop in Mill Street, Stafford, as it looked between 1900 to 1910 when its was owned by the Williams family

Harry and Florence Jackson bought the shop in the 1950s with their son, Derek, joining them as a 15-year-old boy.

He later took over the business with wife Brenda, who had started working in the shop in 1959.

Mr Jackson died 15 years ago but Mrs Jackson still runs the shop with her three children.

Terry, now 52, has worked there since he left school while sister Yvonne, 56, joined in her 20s and Mandy, 50, joined later.

Brenda said: “To be honest, trade is not what is was, the town has gone down hill and I am 76 years old so it is time to retire.

“It has been enjoyable because we have a lot of nice regular customers but some have sadly died.

“I feel quite bad because customers do not know where to go but it is time to enjoy myself while I am still able to in retirement. A lot of customers are sad to see me go but wish me all the best.”

Brenda Jackson has worked there since 1959

The family’s last day in the building, being sold by Andrew Dixon & Co, is March 31.

Ward councillor Christine Baron said: “It is so sad to see a part of history going, it is such a shame because they have been there for so long.

“The sad fact is that people can go to a one-stop shop and get everything they need so they do not go down there which is really sad but I wish them the best of luck.

“It is one of those buildings that people go down Mill Street just to have a look at. They stop and take photos just like the Soup Kitchen and the Ancient High House, it is one of the unique buildings in the town.”

The shop has won Stafford in Bloom contest twice for the standard of their hanging baskets and attracted visitors to the town for its distinctive look.