A FAMILY-OWNED independent sports store in the heart of Haringey is shutting up shop after 97 years of trading.

Despite surviving two World Wars, Brigg Sports, in High Road, Wood Green, will soon close its doors for the last time after conceding defeat to sport giants like JD Sports and JJB.

When the store was first opened in 1913 by an industrious 26-year-old Sidney Brigg and his wife, Ann, it sold leather goods, including horse saddles, suitcases and shoes.

At the time, Wood Green was considered a mini West End and would be packed with shoppers on a Saturday morning, Sidney's grandson, Jonathan Brigg, said.

But following the explosion of sports fashion, including the invention of trainer and the the infamous shellsuit, it branched into sportswear and sports equipment and opened two other stores in Enfield Town and Palmers Green.

Mr Brigg, who took the reins from his father, Stanley, in the 1970s, said: "The shop has been a central feature of our family for so many years.

"When you have been an established in one place for so long, you fight a little longer than you should. But I think the real test of a businesses viability is if you ask yourself, 'would I open this business now?' If the answer is no, then you have to start making the difficult decisions and that's what I have had to do.

"Brigg and sons have been fortunate enough to make a decent living over the years and it's thanks to our loyal customers who have supported us over all these years — through the good times and bad."

The Enfield resident first started helping in the shop as a boy during the Sixties and said for many years the Wood Green shop had been "the place" to go to for sports, and once even kitted out a basketball team organised by music legend Rod Stewart.

"It was just around the time he released Maggie May but the shop assistant didn't know who he was and asked him for proof of ID. He did, eventually, and we made the sale", said Mr Brigg.

He added: "Sport used to be something for wealthy people who had the time and money to pursue it. But once the television entered the living room, bringing sport to ordinary people, there was a real demand for it, especially in the Eighties when Nike first came on the scene.

"The thing is, the face of the high street will change with the times. It is great to see Primark in Wood Green now. Right now, that is what people want right now and it will have a positive effect on neighbouring businesses."

But the legacy of Brigg & Sons will live on through its new niche supplying specialist kits and equipment to rugby, cricket and football clubs from its warehouse and showroom in Barnet.