A BARRHEAD businessman declared that he had no intention of moving his shop from its Main Street location a decade ago.

Specialist shoe retailer William Mills told how he had a fight on his hands to convince the Barrhead public that he was not closing down.

Rumours were circulating that a neighbouring business was planning to extend into the shoe shop and that William would be closing his well-established shop.

He said at the time: “It all started when a customer said to me they were sorry to hear I was leaving and wished me all the best in the future.

“More and more people began coming in with the same sentiments and it seemed the story was growing arms and legs. That is when I put the notice in the window.

“I really don’t know where the stories have came from — certainly not from myself. It appears to be hearsay that has blown out of proportion.”