Owner of Brighton’s DC skate shop calls time on selling clothes

A veteran clothing store owner has closed his doors after nearly 60 years in Brighton.

Gary Gordon, 73, said he has been forced to close his last store, DC in Duke Street, due to changes in the high street and people increasingly shopping online.

He went from working on market stalls with his father to owning 12 different clothing shops, including one which he said was the first to sell Levi jeans in the city.

“It’s not how it used to be”, said Mr Gordon, who shut his final shop on Saturday.

“Customers said they will miss the shop but for some reason they’re going to miss me especially,” he said.

Mr Gordon took over from his father Jack in the early 70s when he was just 21 at their first shop in Broad Street, Seaford.

He moved on to various clothing shops in Brighton but said he is best known for a store called Target in North Street, Brighton, as well as Jean Market and Offshore.

Gary said he had served a number of celebrities, including Paul McCartney and skater Tony Hawk.

Helen Gordon, Gary’s wife and business partner for more than 30 years, said she was “exceptionally proud” of him but is also looking forward to more time together.

“It’s history now,” she said.

“You’re not going to see the Gary’s anymore, these small independent business owners who last for 60 years.”