VIDEO: Goodacres Toymaster in Horsham closes

Competition from the internet, rising rents and other town stores forced Goodacres Toymaster to shut over the weekend.

The family of the Carfax shop - which has been in Horsham for more than 70 years - say they are ‘totally devastated’.

Owners Roy and Pauline Ringer also called time on their Bognor Regis store.

Their daughter Lisa Strudwick said her parents had to throw in the towel before financial ruin and thanked customers for their support.

In a statement she said: “My parents Roy and Pauline Ringer own this shop and one in Bognor which I ran. We are totally devastated that we have had to shut both shops.

“Unfortunately due to rents rising, competition from larger stores and mainly the internet we didn’t stand a chance of competing!

“My parents worked very hard and ended up very stressed trying to keep our family business of over 70 years going.

“We have excepted now it had to come to an end before financial ruin. Mum and Dad are going to enjoy an early retirement, playing golf, spending time in Portugal and making the most of their young Grandchildren.

“We would like to say a big thank you to all our staff and customers over the years that have stuck by us.”

News of the closure has been met with sadness by Horsham locals.

Elliot Mancini, 38, said this morning (Monday April 29): “It’s a shame.

“But when they lost the other half of the shop I knew it was only a matter of time, then the Entertainer moved in.”