FARNHAM Cycles is closing in its 41st year, with owner Kim Davies citing declining trade, difficulties in obtaining good staff, rude customers and crime as his reasons for selling up.

Mr Davies, who has been at the helm of the East Street shop for nine years, says it is "very difficult" to make a profit these days.

"By my calculations there are about 500,000 different cycle products on the market," Mr Davies told The Herald.

"Next time you go into a bike shop, remember that you're only after one of them. In a provincial town it is impractical to stock every single one, especially as most of these products change every year. How about bikes now being advertised for £39.99, do I need to say more?"

Mr Davies is selling up after the shop's closure, likely to be in mid-April following a closing down sale. The premises at 44-45 East Street are currently the subject of a planning application to provide two houses.

Married with three children, he hopes to make a fresh start with his bookkeeping and management accountancy business.

Mr Davies said: "Most of the time you just can't get decent staff."

He attacks "the irresponsible national press" whose "rip-off Britain" stories have created an "adversarial relationship between customers and retailers".

Mr Davies also mourns the fact that fewer children cycle to school, and hits out at the lack of progress made in encouraging more widespread cycle use.

"Cycle issues fall down the local council agenda. The Farnham Cycle Network has done a wonderful job in proposing various cycle routes in and around Farnham. Sadly, we have only been provided with lip service to these proposals. This is typical of councils in this country."

Although he thanks his customers over the last nine years, "more than a few of whom have been decent people", he also attacks many of them.

"Nine years' experience allows me to say that by and large the 'great British public' are rude, arrogant, cruel, impatient, and selfish when dealing with retail staff. Look around you next time you shop. Do the ones who've been serving the public for any length of time look weary? Just by being civil, you can make a difference."

Asked if his attitude could be construed as sour grapes, he said: "It probably is sour grapes to an extent, but people are abusive and rude to people who work in shops and I don't think it should