Time to put your feet up: Peter Cox, who is closing Edlas, the camping and outdoor gear shop in Winchester Street, Salisbury, and retiring. DA5021P3OVER the past 20 years, Peter Cox has heard all the jokes there are about camping.

That is the period he has run outdoor clothing and camping equipment specialist Edlas, on the corner of Winchester Street and Brown Street, in Salisbury.

But at the end of this month the lease expires on the shop and Mr Cox (62), who lives in Firsdown, has decided to let down his guy ropes, pack up his kit bag and put his feet up.

The shop will close on March 31 and Mr Cox plans to retire and spend more time on his garden and with his eight grandchildren.

He started in the business when it was in Endless Street, under the ownership of Edward Heelas, who took the first part of his Christian name and the last part of his surname to form the name Edlas.

"Mr Heelas died in 1982 and Brian Head and I took over the lease in 1984 as a partnership," said Mr Cox.

"When we moved here, the shop was derelict - it had been empty for years and had no roof.

"We started with just clothing but it slipped into camping to improve trade."

Edlas was the first port of call for many a Guide and Scout troop but Mr Cox said the shop had been less busy since the Safeway store closed in Cross Key Chequer.

Mr Head died in May last year and, since then, Mr Cox has decided that he does not want to carry on alone.

"Renewing the lease is not an option," he said, "but this has come at the right time."