The owners of independent art shop But Is It Art have revealed their future plans after an 'emotional' announcement that the shop would be closing in the new year.

But Is It Art? opened in 1972 under the leadership of Jan King in Broad Street Mall before moving to Queen Victoria Street in 2006, selling a wide range of irreverent prints, gifts, and curiosities . 

Now the shop is set to close its doors for the final time on January 7, 2025, due to re-development of the building it currently occupies.

Earlier this year, site owners Thackeray Estates won approval to create more than 100 short-stay apartments, six new shops, and a 163-bed hotel incorporating The Bugle pub in Frair Street. 

The announcement that the independent art shop is to close for good prompted an outpouring of support, memories, and heartbroken messages from customers across the years. 

Posting online, one customer paid tribute to the shops longevity and its status as a 'Reading institution'. 

They said: "What an innings! From gluing gift boxes in the basement in the 80s for pennies to spend at Swiss Chalet, to lava lamps and cats in bags, through to the Reading institution it now is and always will be there is so much to be proud of.

"And so many laughs and friends along the way. Pretty sure it was Art all along."

The sentiment was echoed by another loyal customers, who said it was an 'amazing achievement' for the shop to have lasted for so many decades. 

They said: "Congratulations on building such a legend of a business. I first went into your store when i was a little girl, spent hours in the place when I was a teenager, and now I'm 53 and have talked about your shop over the decades even though I moved from the area when I was 16."

Posting online, one customer said: "So sorry to hear this. . . I will miss laughing out loud in your shop, whilst reading your greetings cards.

"It is always such a treat to take time to look around at all the unique items you have for sale."

The current owners of But Is It Art? - Steve Ball and Jackie Redrup, who have both enjoyed working in the shop for many years -  said they had become very emotional reading the hundreds of kind messages that celebrated the shop. 

Speaking to The Reading Chronicle, Jackie said: "It's been brilliant to see all the comments. Really, really touched. We got very emotional about it."

"We have seen a big increase in people through the door. People have been incredible."

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But Is It Art will close its physical store in January - but customers will continue to be able to purchase its quirky array of gifts. 

Customers will be able to buy the shop's selection from its website butisitart.co.uk