Owners of a tobacco shop who are stepping down after twenty years say "it's going to be tough to leave".

Richard Inglis and Mandy Inglis took over The Pipe Shop in Southbourne back in November 2002. 

The store in Southbourne Grove sells loose tobacco leaves, pre-rolled cigarettes, cigars, and pipes.

Mandy, 62, said: “It’s been great, the people are so lovely.”

“It is a real community feel and I think that is what is going to be so hard to leave.”

However, after two decades in business, the couple says the "time is right" to enjoy retirement.

Bournemouth Echo: Mandy Inglis serving behind the till of The Pipe Shop twenty years ago. Mandy Inglis serving behind the till of The Pipe Shop twenty years ago. (Image: Richard Inglis)

“We’ve got a really long bucket list, but we particularly want to go to Japan,” said Mandy.

“We have always wanted to go to these places so now is the time,” said Richard, 61.

As small business owners, the couple has managed to come out of the other end of both the coronavirus pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis.

“Covid was hard, but we still carried on trade a little bit with click and collect and deliveries and managed to pick up again after lockdown,” said Richard.

Bournemouth Echo: The Pipe Shop was originally on Seabourne Road before relocating to Southbourne Grove.The Pipe Shop was originally on Seabourne Road before relocating to Southbourne Grove. (Image: Newsquest)

The husband and wife say that the tobacco trade has changed a lot over the years with new legislation from the government. For example, banning smoking in pubs and clubs. 

Despite the surge in the popularity of vapes and e-cigarettes, Richard and Mandy say that cigars and hand-rolled tobacco are still their best sellers.

Some customers travel from outside of Dorset to get their hands on The Pipe Shop’s supply of a rare tobacco manufactured in the Lake District.

Bournemouth Echo: The Lake District is the only place in the UK that supplies this tobacco and it is not commonly stocked in chain stores. The Lake District is the only place in the UK that supplies this tobacco and it is not commonly stocked in chain stores. (Image: Newsquest)

“It is the only supplier and manufacturer in the UK now, in Kendal in the Lake District,” said Mandy.

“So, we are very lucky, people come from all over just to get this.”

The couple will be handing over ownership of the store to Michelle and Dan Rowan, who have been regular customers for years.

“I think we might be hanging about for a bit, it’s a massive life change,” they said.

“It’s the community side of it that is going to be quite tough to leave, but it’ll be great to have the time all to ourselves.”