A Birmingham pet shop owner has written a Frank Sinatra-style farewell to his customers – after being forced out of business by larger rivals.

Simon Woodroffe is shutting up shop at the Yew Tree centre in Yardley, marking the end of his family-run Pets And Gardens chain, which once boasted six outlets.

He said competition from bigger stores, the opening of a nearby shopping centre, and the loss of customers to the internet had forced him to throw in the towel after more than 30 years.

But he was going out in style – after writing a tribute to his loyal customers inspired by Sinatra’s classic My Way.

“All the stores are struggling around here,” said the 45-year-old. “It is a classic case of the big fish eating the little fish. Retail is really struggling and the internet is another factor – people are going online to buy pet food.

"We needed the new shopping centre down the road like a hole in the head – it was the last straw. All our customers agree. I have had customers turn up crying; they do not want us to go.”

In his Sinatra tribute, attached to his shop front, Simon wrote:

 “And now, the end is near, so I face the final forecourt. My friends I will say it clear, and state my case of which I am certain.

“We had some great displays and at times it went up the highway. But more, more than this, I did it my way.

"Regrets, I have had a few but then again too few to mention. I did what I had to do, and without prosecution.

“There were times, I am sure you knew, when I bought too much to sell to you. But through it all, when there were doubts, I sold it cheap and you cleared me out.

"I faced it all, and stood tall, and did it my way.”