A PHOTOGRAPHY studio which has been an institution in Bournemouth for decades is closing its shop.

Kitchenhams will continue to operate from the home of its owner, Grahame Austin, but will be moving out of its premises at Wimborne Road, Moordown.

Mr Austin said there were a “multitude” of reasons why he had taken the decision to close the shop.

“It’s partly the fact that the world of photography has changed so much,” he said.

“With digital, everybody’s taking pictures where they would have had a photographer before. We’ve suffered with the recession and I’m getting older so I don’t want to be so tied.

“I did look at the possibility of trying to pass it on to somebody else but I really don’t think there’s a market there.

“We’re shutting in Moordown High Street but I’m not packing up because I’m going to do some work from home.”

The business was started by Jack Kitchenham, who later went into partnership with Ken Hoskins. Mr Austin joined in 1975.

As well as portraits and wedding photography, Kitchenhams became known for its work for business. “Although we’ve been in the high street, we’ve always had quite a strong commercial basis,” said Mr Austin.

Daily Echo readers became particularly acquainted with the company’s aerial views of Dorset, many of which are being sold off ahead of the shop’s closure on October 1.

CJI Cricket and Dorset Cricket Supplies, currently further along Wimborne Road, is due to move in to the Kitchenhams shop on November 1.