A POPULAR antiques shop in Basingstoke has celebrated being open for 40 years with a special visit from the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane.

Alan Stone, 56, who runs Squirrels Antiques in Joices Yard has been open for 40 years and has become hugely popular with residents who visit the shop regularly to collect their antiques.

On Friday, October 15 the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Cllr Onnalee Cubbitt visited the shop along with many long serving customers to celebrate.

She said: “It’s wonderful and I know the shop very well. I have been coming here for such a long time, as have my family and friends.

“It is the only antiques shop in the centre of Basingstoke and one of the longest lasting shops and it is lovely to come down and support the shop.”

Cllr Onnalee said it “is lovely to support our retail” because life at the moment is “very difficult for them”.

She added: "Basingstoke in particular has problems, and these problems were in existence even before the pandemic. It is lovely to support a long standing established business.”

The antiques shop is run by Alan Stone, 56, who is well loved.

He said: “Today was the opportunity to celebrate and it feels amazing.

“Now I believe I am the oldest established retailer left in the Top of Town area and there is so little left and it is nice that we are still here.”

He said the last 40 years have been up and down and there have been lots of changes in the town.

He added: “We don’t get the footfall that we used to get and we are just celebrating being open."

Squirrels Antiques has a treasure trove of stock which includes fine jewellery, antiques, collectables, and other curiosities.

83-year-old George Plummer who lives in Basingstoke has been visiting the shop since it frist opened.

He said: “I have been coming since this shop opened because we used to go the antique shop next door and they went and then Alan came.

“I collect Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee and I come here to get them.”

He said he loves the “friendly atmosphere” of the shop and said you are always made to feel welcome as soon as you come in.

Everyone who came enjoyed tea and cakes as well chatting to Alan and having a look around the well-loved shop.