HARRY Smith, a familiar figure in the Tavistock footwear world has retired, and the Stanley Gane shoe shop he managed for almost 20 years, is closing down.

Harry, 65, became popular with local children by giving them lollipops when they went into the shop on Duke Street ? right up to the time the Clarks children?s range was withdrawn from Stanley Gane just over three years ago.

?Some of those children are mums themselves now, and they still talk about getting lollipops from me when their own mums brought them into the shop,? said Harry.

And he is thrilled by news that his lollipop tradition is to be resurrected. The owners of the Stanley Gane store, the Stead and Simpson Group, are refurbishing their other shop in the town ? two doors away on Duke Street ? and rebranding it as Peter Briggs.

As well as transferring all Stanley Gane?s brands to Peter Briggs, the new-look store will also have a dedicated Clarks children?s department . . . complete with lollipops!

?The previous owners withdrew the Clarks children?s range before we were acquired by Stead and Simpson, as there wasn?t really room to do justice to it,? said Harry, who is being retained by the group as a consultant.

?We never had noisy children in the shop, because they knew they wouldn?t get a lollipop if they misbehaved. and sometimes they?d have a ?sponsored silence? while they were in the shop, so they?d get two lollipops when they left.?

Harry said the technology that goes into the building of shoes has changed tremendously. ?They?re much lighter and more flexible nowadays.?

And what types of shoe have been most popular during his 20 years at Gane?s? ?In a country town like Tavistock it?s definitely casual and comfort shoes.?

Serving the people of Tavistock, and working with loyal members of staff are the two things Harry has enjoyed most during his time at Gane?s.

As well as doing some consultancy work for the Stead and Simpson Group throughout the South West, Harry is also being called upon to carry out the official opening ceremony of the new Peter Briggs store on Duke Street.