Julian Stewart, the longest serving independent trader in Barnet High Street, is about to retire after 43 years in business.

He opened his hardware shop, Bargain Buys – as it was originally known – in 1979.

Renamed Julian’s Hardware, it soon became a High Barnet institution, an enticing Aladdin’s cave for any resident or do-it-yourself enthusiast searching for the right tool, tin of paint, piece of ironmongery or any other household item.

At the age of 74, he has decided to call it time and a “To Let” sign will soon be appearing on the front of his shop, ready for a new tenant.

“I am going to miss the business and especially all my loyal customers. The shop has been like a social club – three quarters of my customers know me by my first name.”

After a triple heart by-pass in 2019 and an enforced closure, he re-opened only to be hit by the Covid.19 pandemic and another run of closures.

“Despite it all, business picked up again, but at 74 it can be hard going running a shop and my wife Nilly, who does the book work for me, is really looking forward to me retiring from the shop.”

His departure from the High Street – he thinks probably early in the New Year – will have to be preceded by what he agrees will be the “sale of the century” as he sells off his stock in order to empty the shop.

Long-standing customer Lyn Brimson was sad to hear the news.

“I have been coming to Julian’s for 40 years. His shop really is an Aladdin’s cave, but Julian knows precisely where everything is and finds what you are looking for straight away.

“He is so knowledgeable as well, always ready to give advice on what product to use or how to sort something out.”

Julian recognised that competition along the High Street had increased in recent years with the opening of another two independent hardware and ironmongery shops.

“For many years I was the only independent in my line on the High Street and although trade did dip after the second lockdown, it has recovered.”

He said that the rebranding of his business ten years ago – when the Chipping Barnet Town Team helped finance the sprucing up of High Street premises – had helped.

A new awning renaming the shop Julian’s Hardware had been a great help – “even more customers started addressing me by my first name, and that has made it all very friendly.”

Julian said that Peter Wander – proprietor of Wanders shoe shop – will now take on the mantle of the High Street’s longest serving independent trader, an accolade which is bettered only by Dory’s Cafe, round the corner in St Albans Road, which opened in 1956.