PROBABLY the oldest family business in Marlborough and one of the oldest in the county, Vincent Head men's outfitters, is to close.

Robin Head is retiring after 44 years in the business, which has been in his family for five or more generations.

Traditionally the business is passed down from father to son, but Mr Head's 20-year-old son Benjamin has his own career planned and his daughter Louise, 23, did not wish to take up the reins.

Now Mr Head, 63, is planning to live in the house behind the High Street business and let the shop, which still rates long johns as one of its best selling lines.

Unless someone can be found to continue the business, and this week Mr Head said the chances of this were looking slim, it will signal the end of the last dedicated men's wear shop in the town.

At the time Mr Head joined his late father Vincent in the business there were at least four other men's outfitters or tailors in the town.

In recent years Marlborough has developed a name as a top fashion centre with very nearly 20 ladies clothing and fashion shops in the town.

But in common with most other retail centres, a specialist men's clothing shop will soon be a thing of the past.

Duck's toyshop in the High Street and Sumblers butcher's shop in London Road will be the only two Marlborough businesses still run by a member of the founding family left when Mr Head shuts up shop.

Advertisements in newspapers of 50 years ago showed that nearly every business in the town was family run.

Currently Mr Head is running the business down and having a sale of the stock he has left.

He said: "I am not sure yet when I will be closing."

Mr Head said he is not certain when the business started but has a copy of the Marlborough Times of 1863 with an advertisement for the shop.

He said that apart from changing fashions, new fabrics and higher prices there had been few changes in the trade since he started with his late father in 1959.

Mr Head, a long serving member of the Marlborough Cricket Club, said: "We had to change with the times a bit but we have always remained traditional."

Every generation of the Head family has had a son called Vincent that is why it is difficult for Mr Head to be sure whether the business was started by his great great grandfather or his great great great grandfather. Down through the line they have always been called Vincent.

His own brother Vincent opted to become a farmer, however, instead of going into the family business.

Mr Head's wife, Cynthia, has been an important part of the business in recent years carrying out all the alterations.

When Mr Head first joined the business it had its own tailors and provided a made to measure service.

The closing of his shop will signal the end of a long family tradition but another one will continue.

Generations of Heads have played for Marlborough Cricket Club and its predecessor, Savernake Cricket Club.

Mr Head, his father and grandfather were all keen players and son Benjamin is continuing that tradition.