THE owner of a Darwen menswear store, which is set to shut after around half-a-century of business, has said he will ‘cherish the memories forever’.


Steven Higginson has been working for his family company Sagar Menswear for 29 years and took it over in 1999 when his dad retired.

The business has been in Darwen since the 1960s when it was owned by Derek Sagar but Mr Higginson has decided to close down the store due to wanting ‘more balance in his life’ after only taking just one week’s holiday for the past 20 years.

The 49-year-old from Feniscowles in Blackburn said he would miss his customers enormously and his heart would always be with the store.

He said: “I really will miss the customers but the memories I will cherish forever.

“They’re not customers really they’re basically close friends, I’ve really got to know them personally over the years.

“I’m thankful though that every single one of them has understood that I want more balance in my life, I’ve got to put myself first.

“People have asked why I don’t close the store for longer and take more holiday, but I’ve always wanted be there for the customers. 

“I’ve enjoyed every minute of it and there’s been so many great moments.

“My heart will always be with the store, but my head has told me it’s time to stop.”

Mr Higginson went straight into the business after graduating from Blackburn College with a national diploma in business and finance.

His commitment to Darwen has shown through how busy the store has been over the past couple of weeks, with customers coming back three or four times grabbing what they can before the closure.

There is no official closing date yet but when the business does eventually shut up, Mr Higginson hopes that something similar will move in.

He said: “For the sake of the town, I do hope that a similar menswear business does move into the unit.

“I have had so many regular customers here and I feel quite teary when I talk about leaving, so I hope there’s something here for them when I go.”

Town and borough councillor John Roberts said: “This store has been in the town a long time and will be greatly missed.”