A long-established watch repair business in Portslade is preparing to cease operations next month, marking the end of nearly 50 years of service to the local community.

Tica, situated on Boundary Road, will close its doors on September 30, concluding a story that began in 1975 when entrepreneur Harold Harris launched the establishment as a general retailer offering household items, cleaning supplies, greeting cards and various daily necessities.

The direction of the business shifted in 1981 when Harold’s son-in-law, Sharl Pitimson, assumed control of the enterprise.

Despite possessing limited knowledge of battery-powered timepieces initially, Sharl progressively developed Tica into a dedicated watch and battery repair establishment, becoming a well-known and relied-upon figure for successive generations of customers.

The current proprietor, Kenny George, explained that Mr Pitimson’s repair abilities originated from a deep-seated curiosity about mechanical functions.

Describing Sharl’s nature, Kenny noted he had always enjoyed disassembling objects and reconstructing them.

At the age of 11 or 12, Sharl dismantled his mother’s vacuum cleaner and reassembled it successfully.

Now aged 78, Sharl has dedicated 45 years to the establishment.

Although he stepped down and transferred ownership to Kenny 13 years ago, he remained closely involved, initially returning for one day weekly before expanding to two days.

Kenny, who is 71, received his training from Sharl and disclosed that the two had been deliberating over closure for several years.

They continued postponing the decision due to the exceptional nature of their customer base and the meaningful conversations the shop facilitated.

Kenny described the business as a community anchor spanning multiple generations.

Following confirmation of the closure, patrons have been visiting to exchange recollections of the enterprise and those who operated it.

Local resident Anne Wells observed that the closure would create a noticeable absence within the neighbourhood.

She highlighted Sharl’s patience, expertise and pleasant demeanour while noting she had lived in the area for 38 years and could not recall a time when the shop did not exist.

Kenny explained that the choice to shut down stemmed partly from age-related considerations but also from the difficulties confronting independent traders.

He described fundamental challenges that affect most high street businesses and commented that official bodies demonstrated little comprehension of small enterprises while imposing substantial administrative burdens.

While Sharl anticipates enjoying his retirement, Kenny intends to take a 12-month break before determining his future plans.

For both proprietors, departing from their customer base will prove most difficult.

Kenny observed that the primary loss would be the daily experience of engaging with their patrons.