A BARROW Market Hall trader is closing the shutters on her fabric stall after almost two decades of trading.

Andrea Leake of Andrea’s Fabrix has been expertly handling a needle and thread and providing sewing and fabric services for 16 years.

Andrea has worked as a trader in Barrow Market Hall for more than three decades but decided to go it alone with the creation of Andrea’s Fabrix.

Providing a variety of services, the stall has assisted thousands of customers with repairs, dress making, quilting, crafting, and of course, sewing advice for needle novices over the years.

However, now is the time for Andrea, from Barrow, to retire, allowing her to enjoy the things she ‘never has time for’.

“I've decided to retire now due to my age and my health,” said Andrea. “I feel now is the time for me to have some time for myself and to do all the things I never have time for.”

The seamstress says she will miss ‘working with fabrics everyday’ and the ‘creative side of the business’.

Most importantly, she will miss the friendships forged over the years.

The 64-year-old said: “I will miss the friends I have made in stallholders and customers over the years.

“I would just like to say a big thank you to all the customers and friends I have made for supporting me over the years.”

Andrea’s Fabrix is currently holding a huge sale in the run up to the final day of trading, seeing lots of fabric being sold at low prices.

The stall will be open during the regular market days of Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday during December – with the final day of trading marked as December 23.

To see what fabric is on offer, visit the stall at Barrow Indoor Market Hall or search for Andrea’s Fabrix on Facebook.