McHardy’s has been selling fishing tackle in Carlisle for more than 60 years. But not for much longer.

Owners John and Yvonne Park are retiring. They plan to close their shop at the end of the year.

The business was founded in the 1950s by Jack McHardy, when it was based on London Road.

The Parks bought it in 1968. They moved to its current location on South Henry Street, just a few yards off Botchergate, in the 1980s.

This is one of Carlisle’s oldest family businesses. But history counts for little when few young people are hooked on fishing, and when those running the business are ready for a well-earned rest.

Yvonne remembers when there were five tackle shops in Carlisle.

Soon there will be only one: Geoff Wilson on nearby Portland Place.

“It will be sad,” says Yvonne. “We’ve had it for nearly 50 years. But we were going to have to retire eventually.

“We’ve been trying to persuade John for a while. He works at home. He told me I had to wait until I’m 70 ’til I retire!”

That’s more than a year away but this feels like the right time to stop.

Yvonne says: “It will be a wrench. But I’m looking forward to doing what I want. Spending more time in the garden, and reading.”

What will she miss? “It’s the people you get to know over the years. You don’t necessarily get to know their names. It’s faces.

“I’ve made some really good friends here. Customers have come in for years. Some come in for a coffee and a chat.

“We get people from all over. We had a couple up from Yorkshire this morning.

“We’ve just had a Polish couple in. They’ve come in since they came to live in Carlisle.

“He was telling me about somebody who was harassing him because he’s Polish. People talk about all kinds of things, not just fishing.”

Yvonne and John’s daughter Fiona has worked here since she was 16. What will she do next?

“I haven’t got the foggiest,” she says. “I’ve never even had an interview.”

Customers have said they will be sad to see this place go.

The family will continue with the mail order side of the business. “I think everyone’s going on the internet now,” says Fiona.

The shop mainly sells items for game fishing: salmon, trout and sea trout.

Its range includes rods, reels, lines, hooks, flies, waders and clothing.

McHardy’s also sells spinners – a type of lure used to entice fish – some of which are intricately made by John.

The customers are, says Yvonne, “Everybody. From people who spend pence to somebody that wants a full outfit. It’s a broad spectrum.

“In fishing there’s no difference between a lord and somebody on the dole.”

Botchergate is ever-changing. The shop looks across to the side of Cumbria County Council’s new offices.

Yvonne and Fiona will miss this place, its people and its memories.

“We’ll miss all the customers,” says Yvonne. “The banter. And there’s something to be said for getting up in the morning and going to work.”