A COUPLE who have sold treats to the people of Dorchester over the years are shutting up shop for good to enjoy a little of their own indulgence.

Lesley and John Martin are saying a fond farewell to their customers at Stuart Turner’s tobacconists, one of the longest-established shops in the county town.

The traditional tobacconist and sweet shop has traded in the Tudor Arcade for 52 years.

It was set up by Stuart Turner in November 1957 and his son, also Stuart, started work there as a 16-year-old.

Lesley said: “We’re not going because of a lack of trade, we’re going because we want to retire.

“We’ve worked here for six days a week and I’m looking forward to spending more time gardening, looking after the chickens and meeting friends for coffee.

“I think I’ll be very sad though on the last day.”

The Turners employ one staff member, Pat Hall, who has worked there since the shop started.

Times have changed since the couple first took over the shop in 1985, John said.

“We always sold lots of pipes and cigars but since the legislation changed and people can’t smoke in pubs any more, it’s made a big difference.

“We carried hundreds of sweets in jars which people seemed to love – our most popular sweets have been sweet peanuts, wine gums and sherbet lemons.”

Former Woolworths manager John will close the shop’s shutters for the last time on March 24.

He said: “We’re very sad, but we’re going out on a positive note.

“We have to move on – there’s no way we can carry on forever.”

Customer Terri Heasman said she will miss the slice of nostalgia offered by the shop.

“I’ll be sad to see Lesley go after 25 years. I’d always rather shop in an independent shop because they have things you wouldn’t be able to buy in other places,” she said.

Stuart Turner, who went on to run the Casterbridge Hotel, said: “I sold humbugs for a living for 28 years and I loved talking with people when they came in.

“I remember when the shop’s rent was £250 a year – things change though and you have to move with the times.”