AFTER occupying "pride of place" in Whitefield's main shopping street for the past 27 years, shopowner Frank Chapman is ready to take a back seat.

Mr Chapman (61) will close down his cane furniture shop "In Pride Of Place" on Bury New Road, at the end of the month when he retires.

And as a lasting legacy, Mr Chapman hopes he can help someone else set up business by donating three industrial sewing machines to a budding entrepreneur.

He said: "A lot of people have helped me over the years and I hope I can help someone else in return. Whoever wants the machines can have them free of charge; they just need dismantling and removing from the first floor."

Mr Chapman, who lives in Crawford Avenue, Whitefield, said the machines are rather old but in good working order and he has used them frequently in his business to upholster and re-upholster his cane furniture.

The former teacher said he has happy memories of his time working in the shop and added: "It was a good decision to come here. I have met some wonderful people."

Mr Chapman has agreed a sale of the property with Dransfield Properties Ltd, who currently have an application with Bury Council to build a Morrisons store on the former Brand Centre Site.

Their plans would include demolishing the buildings fronting Bury New Road, including the cane shop, to make way for a relocated Roma cafe.

The properties still on the site include a surveyor's, a pizza takeaway shop and the Wheatsheaf Pub, which has been closed for some time.

Enquiries about the sewing machines can be made to Mr Chapman on 07963 919797.