One of a town’s oldest specialist shops which boasts clients from all over the world is to close after more than 60 years.

Two of the three sisters who currently run Francis Iles Galleries in Rochester High Street have decided to retire so the store will be shut just after Christmas.

But the Iles family will still be keeping a presence on the high street with Store 104 which has a wide appeal for its on-trend book, yarns and artisan cafe.

Youngest sister Lucy will continue representing artists by taking to the road with Francis Iles Touring showing at gallery-led art fairs across the country.

In 1961, from humble beginnings in The Brook in Chatham glamorous couple Audrey and John launched their gift shop which was later transformed into an art gallery offering fashionable fine art prints and top-end materials.

Living in a flat above the business, it quickly established a reputation for offering quality work from well-established artists of the day including Sir Russell Flint, Rowland Hilder and Roland Batchelor.

A few years after opening, the premises was subject to a compulsory purchase order to make way for the development of the town centre.

In 1971, they moved to their current iconic Georgian building, which became the gallery and shop, Rutland House next to La Providence, the French Hospital.

They moved to a house in Prospect Row, Brompton, where they brought up their family.

As their three daughters joined the business, it expanded to include two other shops in the High Street selling yarns and needle-craft items.

Artycat opened in 1999 and merged with the wool shop where it stayed until Covid hit.

Two of the sister, Alayne, 71 and Nettie, 68, took semi-retirement during lockdown and Artycat was refashioned into Store 104. The art materials were moved to Francis Iles to give the next generation a “blank canvas”.

Lucy’s daughter Libby, 25, who curates the books and Alayne’s son Patrick, 34, an accomplished knitter and chef, now run Store 104 opposite which has a cafe at the back.

Chris Simmons, Francis Iles framer for 20 years, will continue to offer a bespoke framing service from his new studio above the shop.

Over the years they have branched out selling ceramics, glassware, sculptures, cards and a range of quirky gifts.

Lucy, 55, said: ”We’ve been breaking the news to our customers as we see them about the changes ahead and people have been genuinely upset as we’ve been part of their lives for so many decades.

“It’s the end of a chapter, but not the end of the Iles era as we are lucky to have the next generation of family members to move on with the times.”

Another factor in the sisters’ decision to shut down the main branch was the death in April this year of their beloved mother Audrey.

They describe her as “our darling Mum, matriarch and mentor to many” who had seen the business grow from small beginnings over the past 60-plus years and was fundamental to its success. She passed away at the age of 90.

While their father Francis John Iles came from a retail background and was the “business brains”, it was their mother who had the charm and was the face of Francis Iles to many customers.

Lucy said: “There was one particular customer from Dubai who had been an A-Level student and then a student at the local art college who she encouraged throughout his studies, including giving him art materials.

“He has now gone on to have a very successful career designing houses in Dubai and says he wouldn’t be doing what he’s doing now without her support.”

Today, the gallery hosts collections and exhibitions from artists all over the world and online customers tap in from Australia, America and Europe.

Lucy said “People tend to find us these days. But I think our personal success has been evolving with the times and exhibiting art from the heart.

“People like what we do because we show our work with love and people respond to that.

“For many a visit to Rochester is not complete without visiting the gallery.”

If you have any memories or photographs you would like to share with the sisters please email to gallery@francis-iles.com.