THE future of a 50-year-old furniture business is under threat because it is unable to find new premises.

Martin Hawkins, the owner of Martin's Furniture in Totteridge Road, High Wycombe, said he sold the building to move to a new property with more room, but has not been able to find anything suitable in High Wycombe and has agreed an exchange for April 12.

He said: "I was enthusiastic about a new site, and I had seen one I fancied but that has been sold to someone else. It's a bit scary and I don't know what to do. We are running out of time.

"The problem is getting a big enough area that we can retail from. We need easy access for the lorries, they used to be just vans that would deliver to us."

Mr Hawkins bought the shop at the age of 17 from his grandmother who had it left to her when his grandfather died, 37 years ago.

"We have always earned a profit, we have never owed anything. I want to stay in High Wycombe because of the customers. They are so loyal and they like the fact it is not high pressure sales."

The 53-year-old who lives in Bourne End said he would like to continue with his business as it has given him so much pleasure.