GRAYS menswear closes its shop in Penny Street in Blackburn on Saturday.

Brothers George and Will Gray took a stall on Blackburn’s open market in 1920.

They built up the business so quickly that within 12 months they had moved into their shop at 67, Penny Street, on the corner of Old Chapel Street.

It soon became known as Grays Corner and the shop windows displayed its range of menswear and boyswear and selection of raincoats, while it also advertised as a tailor’s.

Grays moved into their present shop in the new-look market in 1964.

They opened a second in Northgate, selling school uniforms a decade later, after taking over a business originally run by Johnny Forbes.

This is to stay open, while the firm’s internet site will continue, too.

George and Will were in their twenties when they came back home after fighting in the First World War and decided to set up in business.

They approached a northern wholesaler about stock, although they had no financial wherewithal to actually buy any items.

Appreciative of their service to the country, the wholesaler willingly agreed to give them credit and the rest, as they say, is history.

In those days, the menfolk of Blackburn dressed far more formally than today and at one time the shop had racks 60ft long displaying a huge selection of suits and shelves packed with hats of all shapes, including bowlers and trilby hats.

Young lads would be measured for their Sunday best short pants suits and there are still customers today who recall getting kitted out for school uniforms 60 and 70 years ago.

George’s son George junior came into the business in 1933.

His widow Olive, who is now in her nineties, is still a partner today, alongside John Wilding, who joined the firm in the Sixties.

“I left school on the Friday and came to the shop on the Monday and although I did go to work elsewhere for three years when I got married.

"I have now been a partner for 35 years,” said John.

Said John: “It’s the end of an era and it’s been a difficult decision, but we’d like to thank all our customers over the many years.

“After Saturday, any stock still left will be donated to the hospice shop.”