WELL-KNOWN proprietor of The Tolsey Shop in Wotton-under-Edge Lesley Hewish is changing careers.

And she explained in verse this week:

"Alas my dears, the time has come To close the shop (please don't look glum) In every cloud some silver shines And soon another business climbs Out of the ashes like a bird To take our place, or so I've heard.

Eleven years have hurtled by With Tolsey trinkets and cards supplied.

A little haven for our town. But life moves on, new ventures found.

So now I bid a fond farewell We close at Easter, so toll that bell.

I thank you all for your support. Our sale is on, so spare a thought.

We hope to see you 'fore we close And sorry for the awful prose."

Mrs Hewish has not actually decided to become a poet but is keen to train for a new career completely different from retailing.

She said: "I still wish to work within the local community and I'm taking career advice about what I should do."

As owners of the building, Bob and Lesley Hewish will be leasing the shop to a new retail business.

Mrs Hewish said: "I'm confident a new shop will be successful - this is a prime spot."

She added: "Since discussing my plans with local people, I've discovered all sorts of new businesses are about to open in Wotton-under-Edge. The town has a bright future."

She believes businesses proceed in ten-year cycles and she should have closed last year.

But she laughed: "I just couldn't let go."

The Novel Hovel, run by Lin and Phil Russell-Jones, situated within the same building, will remain open as usual.