Amateur Photographer Magazine

Camera store shuts down after 77 years

Tuesday 2nd December 2008

Chris Cheesman

An Essex-based photographic retailer - first set up 77 years ago - is closed and 'no longer trading', according to a message on the firm's website.

A few weeks ago AJ Purdy & Co Ltd, of Harlow, denied rumours that it had gone into administration when contacted over concerns raised by an AP reader.

Information we received today suggests that administrators have not been called.

However, the firm's financial position is not clear.

The business was set up in 1931 by AJ Purdy's predecessor, JHR Downes. The firm changed its name after Mr Downes' death in 1965.

When AJ Purdy died in 1982 the business was run by his daughter Valerie, husband Roger and their son Steven who served as managing director.

The message on the shop's website adds: 'Please check back here later this week for further information.

'All orders that were in stock have been processed and sent out and we have advised most customers who ordered items not in stock that they will not be receiving the item.'

Customers with queries are urged to email the firm at sales@ajpurdy.co.uk

NEWS UPDATE 17 DECEMBER 2008

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