End of an era for much-loved Glossop shop

A long-standing Glossop shop is preparing to close its doors for the final time, bringing an end to a much-loved chapter for the family behind it. 

Heirloom & Derbyshire Clocks has been a familiar name in the town for decades, with Judith Lees and her late husband Terry establishing the business at its current High Street West premises in the mid-1980s. 

The shop will be open from 9am until noon on the next two Saturdays – 15th and 22nd August – for customers who have items to collect. A sale of lamps from Judith's stock will then be held on the first two Saturdays in September, before the shop closes for the final time on Saturday 12th September. 

Natalie Barnes, who has known Judith since she was six years old and later worked as the shop's Saturday girl, is helping to deal with enquiries and arrangements as the shop prepares to close. 

Anyone who needs to collect an item can contact Natalie on 07774 004844 or Andrew Firth on 07920 841377. 

The closure comes after Judith suffered a series of strokes. While she remains physically able, she has been left with significant and irreversible brain damage. Thankfully, Natalie says she is stable and content in her own world. 

 Judith and Terry's journey began with a small antiques shop at Woolley Bridge, before they moved briefly into what is now Harry's Barbers on High Street West. They then moved into their current premises in the mid-1980s. 

The couple retired around 12 years ago and rented the shop to The Sewing Box. But after Terry's death in 2017, Judith missed the social side of running the shop and decided to reopen on a smaller scale. Rather than buying new stock, she sold items on behalf of other people, with the shop providing her with an opportunity to meet people, have a chat and keep busy. 

Judith and Terry were also heavily involved in Glossop's Victoria Weekend when it first began. Judith, who was particularly artistic, designed programmes for the event and created beautiful costumes for herself to wear. 

Natalie's connection with Judith stretches back more than three decades. She first met Judith when she was just six years old, spending her birthday money on a silver carriage clock. Five years later, she became the shop's Saturday girl and says Judith gradually became like a surrogate mum to her, with the pair enjoying trips away together and even attending Royal Ascot. 

Andrew also has a long connection with the family, having started working for Terry as his apprentice when he was just 14, learning the French polishing trade – a skill he continues to practise today. 

Natalie says Judith and Terry became like "second parents" to both her and Andrew. They didn't have children of their own, but over the years they built strong relationships with generations of customers and people throughout the local community. 

Many people will also recognise Judith from her walks around Glossop with her dog, Murray - another familiar sight around the town. 

Natalie says several people have already been in touch to ask about Murray following the news of the shop's closure. "People have been messaging to ask if Murray is OK, and he is" she said. "He is still being cared for by us all and he hasn't been rehomed." 

As the shutters come down for the final time on Heirloom & Derbyshire Clocks, Natalie hopes people who knew Judith and Terry will remember the happy times and meaningful contribution they made to the town. 

For Natalie, the final day will be particularly poignant. She said: "Saturday 12th September really will be a sad day for me. I have so many lovely memories growing up in the shop and with Judith and Terry."