Store dubbed Fareham's 'Aladdin's Cave' announces its closure after 12 years in town centre

Willows, well known for its odd bits, trinkets and funky furnishings, is set to close at the end of December as business owner Roger Willis and his wife Pamela are to retire.

Roger, 81, said it was ‘the right time to move on’ and call an end to his decades of shop experience after seeing through a difficult couple of years with lockdowns.

Roger, from Warsash, was inspired to start Willows after previously owning a carpet store called The Furniture Workshop in Southampton, where he met Pamela by selling her a new carpet.

The couple decided to set up business in Fareham after seeing a growing trend in homeware items.

Roger said: ‘Over the years we’ve only had a few awkward customers, I would describe these past years as smoothly gone by, I am going to miss the simple things like going to trade shows and seeing my purchases sell quickly, but it's the right time to move on now.’

Willows is in a historic building in the centre of Fareham’s West Street. Roger said he believed the building is going to be sold and made into accommodation.

Roger also said that the pandemic has been tough for the business.

Roger said: ‘I want to thank the landlord David and his wife Allison who have been a great help and very understanding during Covid.

‘However I am looking forward to taking some time off, relaxing and enjoying the local ambiance.’

Roger put his business success and longevity down to his wife’s good taste and his carefully chosen suppliers.

He restricted his suppliers to six trusted manufacturers and is confident he made the right choices.

The independent businesses’ unique and extraordinary decor is down to Pamela, Roger said.

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He said: ‘I’ve always been surprised at how quickly three-piece furniture suites sell, my only regret is not selling half a dozen in a week because they make the most profit.

‘But the biggest challenge to keeping the business running was choosing the manufacturers, but we must have done something right to have been going this long.

‘I want to thank my wife for being very supportive. She chooses the fabric, colours and store design and I want to thank all the staff.’

Roger said his last message before hanging up the keys is for people to come in and visit.

He is holding a large closing down sale with everything reduced.

He said: ‘I invite people to come in, they might find themselves a bargain.’