Stubbs ironmongers, one of the most famous old businesses in York, is to close after almost 100 years.

FR Stubbs, which has traded from the same building on the corner of Fossgate and Merchantgate since 1915, has been put on the market by York chartered surveyors and property consultants Alan Black and Co.

The Grade II listed building is expected to be sold separately to the business once planning permission has been obtained, possibly for conversion into flats or even a hotel.

Owner Bill Stubbs, whose grandfather started the family business in 1904 in Lady Peckitt's Yard, said today the decision to sell had been made partly because he was ready to retire, and partly because of the increasing competition from out-of-town rivals.

Parking laws and traffic restrictions meant the city centre store could no longer compete with larger rivals in the suburbs where access was easier, he said. Mr Stubbs added: "It is a sad day, but our customer base is as a trade shop and we are being strangled by the fact that nobody wishes to come in from Haxby, Wigginton or Strensall.

"If I was still 35 I would have considered relocating. But I cannot stop the clock and I'm nearly 64 now."

Stubbs is just the latest of a number of traditional family businesses in York which have closed - the most recent being Mawson's Pet Foods, which traded from its Walmgate base for more than a century. Mr Stubbs confirmed today members of staff had already begun to leave. Of the original 21 staff, just 12 remained.

Updated: 12:52 Wednesday, February 14, 2001