Popular store owner announced retirement after 50 years.
By Sarah Curran
AFTER 50 years of serving Newtownards, businessman Alan Espey has announced his retirement.
With a date still to be set for early next year, Mr Espey has confirmed he will be retiring from his High Street department store in Newtownards.
The 73 year-old, is preparing to say his farewells to the store known as the Alan Espey Department Store in the New Year and is hopeful that the next proprietor will continue to sell fashion wear.
Over the years, Mr Espey has sold everything from formal wear and high street fashion, to school uniforms, luxurious home living products and women’s underwear.
Mr Espey’s daughter Jillian runs a second shop bearing his name, Alan Espey Interiors, which will remain open, with Mr Espey helping out from time-to-time in his retirement.
Speaking about his time in Newtownards, Mr Espey recalled opening the doors to the store around 50 years ago, at just 22 years-old, with 25 members of staff.
He said: “I had family in the business. I had an uncle who ran that shop as a clothing shop, which would have been called Houston Brothers at that stage.
“He retired and had the shop let out as a food shop and then we took over and changed it back to fashions.”
With experience in the fashion industry already under his belt, Mr Espey felt that it was the type of business he wanted to carry on with.
Originally from Dungannon, Mr Espey worked in the industry in both Belfast and Banbridge before opening his own store and was persuaded to get into the industry by a relative.
“I was working in Belfast when my uncle suggested I go into this line of business and so I thought I’d give it a try,” Mr Espey continued, adding that he moved to Newtownards after marrying his wife Joan.
“Newtownards is a good country shopping town and is one that has stood the test of time with a lot of private shops. The private shops can adjust easily to suit the needs of the people.”
Asked what he loved about his job, Mr Espey simply said: “The fact is it’s not really work when you enjoy it.”
He added: “I enjoy meeting people. I have had three generations of staff work for me. We would take on school-leavers and it’s quite common for them to come back in with their own children to the shop saying ‘this is where I used to work’ which is always good.”
While Mr Espey said that he is retiring, he will be helping out at the interior shop with his daughter, saying he would be ‘taking life a little bit easier’ now.
“Jillian runs that shop so I’ll just be giving her a hand when she needs it and help out at holiday times and busy times,” he said, joking that he was used to waking up early in the morning for work.
“If it’s a nice day I’ll probably find something to do at home but if it’s a wet day I’ll appreciate the work to get out and do something.”
Speaking to all those who have entered his store in the last 50 years, Mr Espey said: “I would like to thank the customers for giving us their support and especially the good staff we have had. We have had excellent and very loyal staff and some of our customers, three generations on, still shop in our shop.
“As I’ve said, it’s not work if you enjoy it. I have a relaxed way of life. What you don’t get done today, you’ll get done tomorrow.”
