Joy Prince inside the closing down store

A POPULAR Potters Bar trader is calling it a day, after 35 years in business.

Ladies clothes and school uniform stores Lee Joy have been a staple of the town since owner Joy Prince moved her trade over to High Street from her home village of Cuffley 14 years ago.

But now, after three-and-a-half decades at the helm, Joy has decided the time has come to have a break.

And although it signals the end of her ladies’ fashion business, which will close for good in April, it’s simply the end of an era for her school uniform store.

For Joy will be handing over the reins to her assistant, Judy Martin, when she finally decides to call it a day.

Joy, 64, said the time was right to step down and let someone else take over.

“I’ve been doing this for 35 years,” she said. “I feel I’ve done my time.

“I just need a little bit of time for myself.”

With her new freedom, Joy said she planned on spending more time at her holiday home in Malta.

“I’m really sad because I’ve had some customers for 35 years.

“They’ve been more than just customers. I know their life history, and I’m very sad that I’ll never know how their story ends.”

Lee Joy first opened in Cuffley in 1975, but moved to Potters Bar in 1996.

“I realised there was more people in Potters Bar,” she said.

In that time, Joy said she’s fitted out uniforms for schoolchildren who have since returned with their own children – and even their grandchildren.

“I even had a grandmother come in once,” said Joy.

“I fitted her uniform, and she came back with her grandchild! Thirty-five years is a long time.”