Owner Jean Ray

»The owners of a once- thriving toy shop chain are to close another down as they focus on their last remaining store in the borough and online sales.

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Nuxley Toys has been in Welling for 40 years but the shop which has sold pocket money treats and toys found at the bottom of many Christmas stockings will shut on Saturday, March 10, with the loss of four jobs.

However, the 36-year-old shop in Milton Road, Gravesend, will continue, along with trade on the ebay website.

Owner Jean Ray, 72, from Crockenhill, near Swanley, said: “It’s heartbreaking, I’m devastated, we have been here in Welling for more than 40 years. We have had fantastic customers.

“We are now going to focus on Gravesend.”

She added: “At one point we had a shop in Bexleyheath, one in Uckfield in Sussex and the original shop in Nuxley Road, Belvedere, which is where the company got its name from. This is my favourite shop.

“What did not help is the banks closing, so people didn’t pop in and pay their bills and go shopping.”

The closure of the Bellgrove Road shop has been blamed on a combination of factors including parking costs and changes in the way people shop.

The lease on the double-fronted store is also due for renewal and high rates have also contributed.