IT’S the end of an era in the town centre next month with the announcement that long-standing business owner, Michael Pearce, is to retire.
Michael and his business, Pearces of Melksham on Church Street, has been trading in the town for 55 years, selling flooring, curtains and blinds to generations of Melksham families – making it one of the longest-standing businesses in the town.
Originally the shop was located on Bank Street, opening on 20th March 1965, after Michael took over the lease in October 1964. The business moved to Church Street in 1969 when Michael built an extension to the building owned by his father.
From Monday 8th April this year, the business will become a branch of JMS Carpets and Flooring of Trowbridge.
The business is owned by friends Jason Ross, Malcolm Brewer and Simon Hardwick, who was employed by Michael early on in his career.
“Simon worked for me over 20 years ago as a carpet fitter,” explained Michael. “He did that for three to four years before deciding that he wanted to branch out on his own and start his own business. He then worked for me every Tuesday and Thursday, whilst he built up his own business, and that arrangement continued ever since until now.
“When he first started working for me Simon said that if I ever decided to retire that I should have a word with him as he would love to take over the business. And when I told him last year that I might retire at the end of the financial year, he told me that he’d love to still take it on.”
As well as running his business for 55 years, Michael has been an active member of the community – for 40 years he was a magistrate at the former Melksham Court; and he was also involved with the Melksham Almshouses Charities.
About his retirement and his future plans, Michael joked, “I’m 80 – so I’ll be skiing, abseiling, mountain climbing, and that’s just for starters! No, seriously, I will do what nature does and wind down. I have had a very active life, I didn’t give up skiing until 15 years ago and hill walking nine years ago – I have had a very full and enjoyable life. But it does feel odd to be retiring.”