Well-known Scunthorpe painter and decorator Dave Calvert retiring after 60 years

A POPULAR painter and decorator is retiring after more than 60 years in the business.

Scunthorpe man Dave Calvert, 77, and his partner Brian Shearwood, 66, are closing their company and replacing it with Woodvert Enterprises which Mr Shearwood owns.

But despite loving the job, Mr Calvert says it is time to call it a day.

Mr Calvert said: "It doesn't get daunting going up ladders at my age but I know I have to retire at some point.

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"All of our customers know of the closing of Calvert Smith and also that we are pleased, hopefully, to be passing on future business to David.

"It is sad to close because we have been operating for a lifetime and I miss our team."

Mr Owen has worked for Calvert Smith Decorators since he left school 36 years ago.

He has now created his own business, David Owen Decorating, with advice from RNS Chartered Accountants of Oswald Road, Scunthorpe.

The 51-year-old said: "I have learnt from the best.

"I joined Dave and Brian straight from school.

"They have taught me all I know.

"The business is about reputation and being recommended by word-of-mouth.

"That is why Calvert Smith has been so successful in Northern Lincolnshire over the years.

"Dave has been good enough to send out a letter to all existing customers explaining the change and I have been giving out my business card over the past couple of months.

"I have a lot of work on at the moment and aim for that to continue.

"Hopefully the work will speak for itself."

Calvert Smith has specialized in high-end domestic work over the years and Mr Owen hopes to do the same.

He said: "I will do other work as well but that is where Calvert Smith built its reputation.

"It is a leap of faith in some respects to go self-employed after all these years, but I am confident about the future."

For more information, call 07504668504 or e-mail d.p.owen@ntlworld.com