FOR nearly half a century he has been a permanent, familiar and friendly fixture in Winchester.

When he started working in the city the Brooks Centre was just a big empty space with a car park and the Daily Echo building in Upper Brook Street was a disused pub.

Malcolm Burgess, 66, left The Winchester Cobbler in Upper Brook Street on Saturday after 48 years at the only job he has ever had in his whole life.

When Malcolm began work the cobblers, a family-run business owned by O A Birch, was based in Wales Street.

In 1963, the business moved to its current location and was the first shop to open in the row of businesses along Upper Brook Street.

The cobblers used to have a huge brass sign advertising shoe repairs which could be seen from across The Brooks area, Malcolm said.

While other shops, such as a tourist information centre, a fishing shop and a pottery shop, have come and gone over the years, the cobblers has stayed put.

"All these changes have made a difference to Winchester but nothing stays the same forever," Malcolm said.

In his time Malcolm has worked behind the scenes fixing the shoes of people from as far afield as London, Southampton, Basingstoke and Salisbury.

One particularly memorable client, Malcolm recalled, was a man who moved to Australia but continued to post his trainers to the Winchester cobblers to be fixed.

For years he worked alongside local cobbler Bob Dean, who, like Malcolm, was disabled and died three years ago.

Leeds-based company Shoe Care took over the cobblers last week and Malcolm has now been told his services are no longer needed.

"I am very sorry about it," Malcolm said. "I have worked here my entire working life and it is the only job I have ever had. I am sad that they don't need me any more."

Eric Halliwell, who also works part-time at the cobblers, said all the staff were very sad that Malcolm was leaving.

A spokesman for Shoe Care said: "Whenever we buy a new shop we look at the finances of the shop and the staff levels. The man concerned