Owner Ken Smith is closing Guernsey Pine and Cane at the end of next month. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 1171002)

THE durability of the furniture sold by Guernsey Pine and Cane eventually contributed to its closure, according to owner Ken Smith.

The business, which is now based in Valnord Road, St Peter Port, is to close at the end of September after nearly 30 years trading in the island. It was originally based in Collings Road before a move to Grandes Rocques and then to the Bridge, where, according to Mr Smith, it experienced a ‘disastrous’ six years.

It moved to Valnord Road just over a couple of years ago, but Mr Smith said it no longer made financial sense for the business to carry on in the current climate.

‘We were trading nearly five times the turnover 20 years ago compared to what we are doing now, but times have changed and there’s been a bit of a trend away from pine. The other problem is that we have sold so much pine in the island which will last people 50 years that after we sell it, apart from the ones who come to add to their existing stuff, we don’t get people replacing their pine.’

• Read the full story in the Guernsey Press. Click here for subscription details. Individual editions are now available online.