Customers have expressed their fond memories from Harlequin, a popular fancy dress shop in Lewisham that is closing after 32 years.

Since News Shopper shared the news of the closure of Harlequin, customers have been sharing their saddness to see a well-known shop in the area closing down.

Owners Karen and Pete Dawson announced the shop closure on their business Facebook page on November 16 after 32 years of business.

Pete claims that the shop closure was due to a combination of a change in people’s spending habits, with less people having need for fancy dress in recent years.

The business is set to close its doors forever on December 31, 2022.

Karen and Pete said that the shop has had a stream of customers visiting who are saddened to see the shop go.

Pete said: “We have had a steady stream of customers who have expressed dismay and disappointment to Karen who’ve had her in floods of tears at least twice every day.”

For the couple, the shop’s closure is an indication of how times have changed over the past few years.

Pete explained: “Karen is sad to lose the shop, it’s her baby but times change, as do shopping habits and social preferences.

“I mean, how many fancy dress parties did you attend in the last 3 years?”

Some commenters on Facebook expressed their shock at the news of the closure of the business.

Prince Champ Fredericks wrote: “Not Harlequin! What is Lewisham becoming these days.”

Gary Bingham wrote: “Sad day! Sorry to hear.”

Jane Hughes wrote: “Very sad to see this I know the owners, it's a sad day for sure.”

Andy Geeves wrote: “Are you sure it’s not a joke.”

For some, the shop holds nostalgic memories from their childhood when they used to shop there for some of the shops joke items.

Ben Cassel wrote: “I use buy the old fart bombs from there.”

Karen claims that one of her most popular items when she first took on the shop was her stink bombs and fart bombs that children would purchase.

Karen said: “Our stink bombs and fart bombs were a bestseller; they flew out the shop.

“But these days kids under a certain age can’t buy them anymore.”

For some, the shop has been a staple part of their lives and one they can remember shopping at for as long as it’s been open.

Alison Rose Parker wrote: “Oh no what a shame, there’s not many fancy dress shops around now as it is.

“Harlequin has always been there, I used it probably for those 32 years, every Halloween or fancy dress party.

“Good Luck to Karen & Pete for future plans.”

Kayleigh Kupperblatt said: “My little brother only been in there recently, I on the other hand have been a few times over the years can’t believe it’s closing, sad news!

"I wish the owners the best of luck.”