J H WILLIAMS & Sons – a shop described as “a Lampeter institution” – has closed its doors after serving the community for 60 years.

Opened on 1 January 1958 by J H Williams and his wife, Margaret, the business in the heart of town – also known as Crown Stores – sold everything from chinaware, glassware and kitchenware to groceries over the next six decades.

The business has been run for many years by the founder’s sons, Alun and Eifion, who also had a long-established branch in Carmarthen.

Eifion took charge of the grocery department and Alun the china and glass department which was closed two years ago.

“It’s the end of a Lampeter institution,” said Lampeter town councillor David Smith. “But those premises are in a prime location and can easily be divided into three different businesses – as J H Williams did successfully for so long – so I’m confident they won’t be vacant for long.”

AM Elin Jones, who visited the shop many times as a child, said: “I’d like to take the opportunity to thank the Williams family and all the fabulous staff who have given such a fantastic service to the local community over the years.”

See this week’s South Ceredigion paper for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition now