One of the country's oldest luggage shops is packing up and closing its doors after 139 years.

Knowles Travel Goods in Worcester will shut for good as early as next week due to rising costs and online competition.

The store has been open since 1884 and was run by the same family for three generations.

But after a string of tragic deaths, the company was bought by London-based businessman Qais Paiman in 2020.

As a result of the Covid lockdowns and lack of footfall, Mr Paiman is selling the business which is expected to be converted into flats.

Albert Knowles first opened the store in the 19th century selling horse saddles and tennis rackets.

He died of pneumonia aged 39 in 1902 and his wife Mary took over the shop.

Their son Arthur then took over when he returned from fighting in the First World War and ran the shop for the next five decades.

When he died in 1971 aged 78, the shop – which had doubled in size and included a sports shop opposite – was passed to his son Robin.

Robin ran both shops for the next 19 years but he was tragically killed in a climbing accident in 1992 aged 60.

After his death, Robin’s son Rick took over the shop having worked as a ski instructor in Switzerland before joining the family business at the age of 20.

In February 2020 Rick sold the shop to Mr Paiman who kept the Knowles name.

Speaking at the time of the sale, Rick, 65, said: "It is very sad having to make the decision we didn't want to make."

"We are another victim of the high street, the internet has taken its toll."

"Due to lack of footfall we have been finding that the last two or three years have been very difficult and so we had to make this difficult decision."

"We did not want to go bust and so that is why we have decided to close."

"It is amazing to think what my great-grandfather would have thought if you had told him in 1884 what the shop would become."

Current owner Mr Paiman said: "We took over the business and just four days after opening we had to close due to the lockdowns."

"It was a double whammy of restrictions on people shopping and also travelling."

"When lockdown ended and people started travelling again we saw sales go up but this year with mortgages and the cost of living, we cannot carry on."

"At the moment the sale of the shop is subject to planning permission being approved to turn it into flats. "

"The shop could close as early as next week or in January next year. There is a great deal of uncertainty at the moment."

Mr Paiman said he is hoping to open another travel luggage shop following the sale of Knowles.