The owners of Davies Tropicals pet shop in Middlewich, Cheshire, have decided to retire from the business after 37 years so they can go travelling.

Ken Davies, 66, who ran the shop with his wife Shirley, 65, said: "We have enjoyed our time here very much, and overall it has been very successful. We’ve met many people and built up some great relationships.

“We would like to thank our customers over the years for being loyal to us and I hope they continue coming to the shop and after we’ve gone.”

The shop will remain open with the couple’s understudy Genna Bennett taking over the reins.

Genna, who has worked in the shop for seven years, will be taking on the manager role at the shop and with her business knowledge, Ken is confident she will do well for the shop.

Ken added: “We have been successful but I think Genna will be able to do better. I hope she does and goes on to increase trade.

“I’m sure she will love running the shop and I hope she does enjoy it just as much as we did."

Ken added: “I’m looking forward to retirement now and we intend to travel around the world to see places we haven’t seen before and revisit the ones we have enjoyed in the past, like Scandinavia.”

Pictured: Ken and Shirley Davies with new manager Genna Bennett (centre).