A WORCESTER man running the oldest business in Worcester says it is a "great pleasure" to have served city residents throughout the years.

Armstrongs, in Sansome Walk, is this year celebrating its 250th anniversary, making it the city’s oldest business.

The shop specialises in menswear, formal suit hire and tuxedo hire, including a huge range of contemporary fashions and the classics.

Simon Hyslop, who took over the running of the company from his father at the end of the 1980s, said: “To have survived so long, shows we must be doing something right.

“When I began in the business, I should think the majority of customers were over 55. Now the age range is more like 35-65, although of course there are some older and younger.

"I see 19-year-olds wearing one of our jackets with a pair of skinny jeans. We are definitely not a cardigan shop.”

The business was founded around 1800 by a Scottish draper by the name of Preece, who came to Worcester and set up business from premises in Love’s Grove right next to the county jail.

Armstrongs still retains its high end retailing image and much of its stock comes from expert tailors in Italy, German and Scandinavia, but that was not how things began and in the early days it combined being a Scottish drapers with selling tea, haberdashery and assorted other goods.

Mr Hyslop said: "We have been fitting for Worcester people for all these years, and it has been a great pleasure to serve them.

"Our customers come from across the region, and then go on to visit the city."