Miles Apart in Amesbury to close after almost 33 years

Miles Apart, in Amesbury, will close for the last time on Saturday, August 31, as owner Lyn Miles is retiring.

The shop sold all sorts from games, stationery, tools, puzzles, wool and much more.

With roots as a puzzle traders on Salisbury Market, Lyn and her ex-husband Michael opened Miles Of Value in November 1991 before expanding to Westbury, Fordingbridge and Blandford.

Read more: ​Miles of Value closes in Fordingbridge after more than 30 years

Lyn's youngest son was just seven months old when the Amesbury shop opened and spent his time in a wicket basket on the shop floor throwing his toys out for customers or hanging from a beam in a baby bouncing harness.

When the couple separated, Lyn renamed her Westbury and Amesbury shops to Miles Apart which many customers found amusing.

The sad decision to close is three-pronged, Lyn said: "It has not been easy since Covid for any shops in retail. Everyone found other ways of buying things online.

"Amesbury did suffer a downturn in people walking in the High Street and it was because of Covid without a doubt."

Lyn Miles will retire on Saturday, August 31. (Image: Newsquest)

However, the main reason for Lyn's retirement is so she can spend more time tending to and expanding her famous snowdrop garden in Westcroft.

Lyn has been interested in gardening her whole life and this passion was displayed at her shop throughout spring when she would stock a range of plants.

See more: Westcroft Garden: Over 400 variants of snowdrop in cottage garden

Miles Apart began gradually reducing its opening hours and after eldest daughter Ella Keable made clear she didn't want to take over ownership, Lyn decided the shop would close for good.

Ella, who was just 10 years old when Miles Of Value opened, has run Lyn's shops since 2012 and remembers completing a series of unorthodox chores as a child including pricing up and wrapping sheets of Christmas paper.

Hoping to start a new career in the NHS as a healthcare assistant at Salisbury District Hospital, Ella said: "It will be exciting to have some new challenges.

"The shop has been part of my life since I was 10. I've learnt to keep a smile on my face as you never know what someone is going through and to be the best person I can be."

Lyn Miles and daughter Ella Keable are closing Miles Apart after almost 33 years. (Image: Newsquest)

Breaking the news to regulars who had been visiting the shop for decades was "very upsetting" and one lady "burst into tears" when Lyn told her that Miles Apart would be closing in September.

"The staff have always been very friendly and helpful. Over the years we have done our best to cover a range of things," said Lyn.

Miles Apart's second shop next door was sold in June and will open as a dentistry with a focus on caring for NHS patients.

Lyn said she, her staff and her customers were pleased to know the shop wouldn't be converted into a barbershop as the town centre now has more than half a dozen.

Miles Apart is running a clearance sale up until its final day of trading with many of its goods priced at less than £1.