The owner of a blacksmiths shop which served a community for 124 years has returned to his town to open an apartment block named after his family’s business.

R G Clark and Sons Blacksmith shop was opened on Epping High Street in 1886, but moved to Hemnall Street in 1962, because of the mess made by the horses.

Now, Darren Hunt has ensured that the memory of the business will live on as he chose to name his development in Hemnall Street, after the family blacksmiths, which left for good in 2010.

Owner Michael Bowman, 68, worked in the shop for 34 years and his wife Rosemary is the great great granddaughter of the first owner.

Mr Bowman said that he was pleased with the Darren’s decision, and was honoured that the family run business will be remembered.

He said: “I am absolutely over the moon with it.

“We left in 2010 when the high street started to change. Everything had to be done on computer and we were still doing things by hand. Rosemary was still using old fashioned ledgers, so we decided to retire.

“We left on a high and it is nice to be able to come back and remember that.”

Two large horse shoes hanging above a now empty shop on Epping High Street remind people of the many and varied retailers which have called the high street home.

Now, the Clarks Mews development on Hemnall Street, will be a lasting tribute to one of the town's longest standing businesses.