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One of Leicester's best known shops is closing down – a century after opening in the city.

Irish, which occupies an iconic building at the entrance to Silver Street and High Street, will close its doors to the public early next year.

The third generation family business was started by Joseph Brown in 1916.

It began with a small store in Silver Street, before opening in various city locations including Humberstone Gate, The Shires and the Grade II listed building it currently occupies.

The building will gain a new lease of life as a flagship city centre café, over two floors, with panoramic views of the city centre.

The Brown family, who own the building's freehold, have agreed to let the entire property to a leading coffee chain, which will restore the building to its former glory and run it along the lines of a traditional coffee house.

(Image: Chris Gordon)

Joseph's grandson Tom, who now runs Irish, said it had been a tough decision to take. "Market forces have taken their toll. The Highcross is taking over as regards quality shopping. It's not nice. It's the end of an era."

He said: "I think that by putting a high quality coffee shop here, it will give this location an edge.

"By giving up what we are doing and changing to a coffee shop it will really give the city a focal point that could just help the High Street.

"The new occupier will use the history of the building, they want to enhance the building, trading from the ground and first floor, with tables outside which will give it a Mediterranean feel."

Irish started out as Irish Clothing Company, but changed to Irish Menswear before shortening to Irish because shoppers thought it just sold Irish tweed.

Tom, who started as a Saturday boy in the 1970s, said: "I had a passion for dealing with the public, pleasing the customers by finding something they wanted and keeping it alive. It's a great knack we had of finding what people wanted."

In the early days the company manufactured some of its own products.

In the 1950s it was the go-to store for Teddy Boy suits, it served the local Mods in the 1960s and went on to be the first retailer in the city – and possibly the country – to retail pre-washed and stonewashed jeans.

Tom's father John, who at 89 still plays an active role in the business, said: "I used to take the jeans down to the laundry in the hundreds to wash them and then started stone washing them with pumice stones. We even sold pairs that were still wet."

(Image: Chris Gordon)

The store is now best known for its impressive range of brands including Timberland, Dr Martens, Joules, Seasalt and Aigle.

(Image: Chris Gordon)

It is also well known for its army surplus gear.

(Image: Chris Gordon)

Tom and John are understandably sad to be closing down, with the resulting loss of 15 full and part-time jobs.

Tom said: "Our store in Loughborough will continue trading. We are a family of traders so we will carry it on, and we know this building is going into good hands, creating more jobs."

The Brown family feels huge gratitude to the clientele it has welcomed through its doors over the years.

Tom said: "I want to thank everyone for business past and present and the huge support they have shown us over the years and we hope they will keep shopping with us in Loughborough.

"We just want people to come and shop with us for the last time. That's all we are after so if people want to come and buy the last pair of Levis the past pair of Doc Martens, Harringtons, they are welcome to come and see us over Christmas."