THE new owners of a second-hand furniture store which has been trading in Southend since 1976 have announced they are staying put.

Les and Gary’s was due to move to new premises a few doors down from its current shop in London Road, Westcliff, after owners Gary Bell, 58, and wife Sue, 54, handed over to daughter Madeleine, 26, and son Matt, 30, as well as Madeleine’s fiance Chris Storozynski, 30, on Friday.

However, Madeleine Bell said negotiations had run aground and, as a result, the store would be staying put on May 16, the date of its supposed move, and for the next year.

She said: “Unfortunately we’ve been telling everyone for the last few weeks that we’re moving but that’s not happening right now.

“Thankfully it seems as though the owners of the building don’t want to start work on it straight away so they’ve extended our lease for another year.

“But while we’re here we’re going to reorganise the store with dedicated areas for things such as a bric-a-brac area and electrical aisle.”

The shop will still hold celebrations on May 16, with tea, coffee and cake, as well as a raffle with prizes such as a Marilyn Monroe themed photo shoot at Park View Studios on London Road and a meal for two at Henry Burger.