A FAMILY firm, whose staff have stuck together through good times and bad, will say goodbye to Darlington tomorrow.

Dressers, on High Row, will close its doors to the public and begin the task of erasing its presence ready for new owners.

Miss Elspeth Robinson, manager, told the D&S Times: "I can't stress how sad we all feel about the fact that the name Dressers is going to disappear after 155 years on the high street."

The Northallerton store closed in February, and the remaining stock has been concentrated in the closing down sale at Darlington.

"It has gone remarkably well," said Miss Robinson. "The public and our very long-standing regulars have enjoyed some terrific bargains. It has been a very difficult time for our staff and we have been under a lot of pressure.

"But we are in the process of forming an association so we can have reunions. We have a lot of activities we hope to keep going - a rucksack walking club, keep fit and going to the gym and swimming expeditions.

"We have been involved in sponsorships over the year and we hope to keep those going. We have been together as a family - we have played together, laughed together and also cried when things have been sad.

"The friendship is the thing we are going to miss, the daily contact."

Some staff have already started new jobs and others are taking aptitude tests and going through interviews.

"Seven have decided on a complete change of direction and are taking computing courses. Others will retire.

"Sixty is the unwritten law for women here, but it was always negotiable and there are some who have gone a lot of years beyond that."

Miss Robinson, who has been in the business for 46 years, said: "I am retiring from retailing. I have a tremendous amount of hobbies and I intend to take up freelance consultancy work.

"I will help new businesses with shop fitting and planning. I also hope to freelance on the flower arranging side as well.

Everyone from the firm has been invited to a reception being held by the mayor of Darlington, Coun Dot Long, to mark the closure.

"We see that as a very great honour and the staff are delighted," she added.

A spokesman for Terrace Hill, which has bought both stores, said it hoped to be able to announce the name of the incoming business in two or three weeks' time, but first it would be making some interior changes.