THE owner of a longstanding business has admitted he just “can’t carry on” after more than 20 years running a lighting shop. 

Jason Edwards, 57, initially joined Celco Lighting, in London Road, in 1989 before becoming manager a decade later. 

The business, which dates back to 1945, was incredibly successful in its heyday but Mr Edwards admits it is impossible to keep up with online retailers and rising bills in the current climate. 

Now, the shop is set to shut for good at the end of June and a 30 per cent off clearance sale is now under way. 

Echo: Beautiful - Tiffany LightingBeautiful - Tiffany Lighting (Image: Jason Edwards)

Mr Edwards said: “Due to the rising rent, utility bills and a lack of people shopping in Southend due to its ongoing decline as a retail hotspot, I feel I can’t carry on with the shop anymore.

“People only tend to come to the city for banking or food shopping.

“To compete with online retailers, we’re working on low profit margins but there’s only so much time you can do that for.

“It’s very sad to be closing because Celco Lighting has been a huge part of my life for the past 34 years, 24 as owner and 10 as employee to the previous owner.”

Since 1945, it has been delighting customers with its wide range of products, from modern to traditional, including fantasia fans and Tiffany Lighting.

Echo: Variety - some of the products availableVariety - some of the products available (Image: Jason Edwards)

In 1989, the 57-year-old joined the business as an employee and then ten years later, he decided to become the owner of the Westcliff staple.

He added: “It’s hard to say how Celco has managed to survive since 1945, but I can only say that in the 24 years I’ve owned the business, we’ve tried to provide a high-quality friendly service, and I hope that has been a big part of our survival.”

Mr Edwards said it is “the social side” of having a small business that will be missed most because “customers have shown their loyal and support for years, with many becoming friends”.

After its closure, the businessman says: “couple of months off, a holiday and getting a part-time job is my plan”.

For more information about Celco Lighting, visit: celcolighting-southend.co.uk.