ONE OF Liphook’s most well-known characters, Louis Clist, is retiring from the General Wine Company after 20 years.

Based in Station Road, Louis - who turned 77 this year - has decided to call it a day and wants to concentrate on his other passion: going on long hikes.

He started working at the age of 15 in the motor trade in Petersfield, and later became a publican in Buriton and Rogate, before joining the General Wine Company in 1996.

“This has been the best job I have ever had, because I get to take my work home,” he jokes.

Louis has seen the business expand into Petersfield and open a warehouse. He has helped to arrange regular wine tastings and popular wine fares over the past 15 years and noticed new trends becoming popular.

“We now sell a lot of very good South American wines as well as wines from Argentina, South Africa and Australia,” he explains. “Prosecco instead of Champagne is the new trend for parties and special events, as is a nice chilled rose. You can buy a really superb bottle of wine for under £10 and people have learned a lot more about different regions and makers.

“Local wines from Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey as well as local ales have also become very popular with customers and there has been a big gin revival over the last few years.”

Louis is already planning several cross country walks, so long as there is a pub at the end, and wants to explore the South Downs, which are on his doorstep, having already completed tasks like the Three Peaks Challenge.