This weekend sees the retirement of one of Tenby's best known businessmen.

After nearly five decades at the town's popular department store, T. P. Hughes, Mr. David Hughes is handing over the reins to the fourth generation of his family.

Educated at Malvern College in Worcestershire and Shadyside Academy in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, David was called up for National Service on his return from America in December 1957.

He was commissioned second lieutenant in the Welch Regiment, serving in Cyprus and North Africa, before embarking on his retail career, after being demobbed in December 1959.

He worked for two years as a management trainee in Harrods and then joined his father Sydney and brother Tom in the family business in December 1961.

For the last 12 years, he has been chairman and managing director, ably supported by his wife Dawn, who assists behind the scenes in women's fashions, in addition to her role as director and company secretary.

Now with his 65th birthday on Sunday, David is delighted that his son Chris and daughter Anna are both ready and able to take over control as managing director and assistant managing director, respectively.

This fourth generation has already stamped its personality on the business with vast improvements during the last few years in the trading performance from furniture, beds, carpets, curtains, linens, clothing and accessories.

David's contribution to retailing has been nationally recognised from time to time by his appointment to the offices of president of the National Association of Retail Furnishers, British representative to the European Federation of Retail Furnishers, chairman of the British Shops and Stores Association, Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers and Freeman of the City of London.

Aside from the business, he has been four times president of the town's Chamber of Trade, past president and captain of Tenby Golf Club, past chairman of Tenby Round Table and past chairman of the South West Wales area, as well as past master of Tenby Masonic Lodge.

As David comes to the end of his 'working life' spanning some 46 years, he attributes his success in Tenby to his "wonderful staff who have mostly been like the extension of my own family."

He plans to celebrate retirement with a family party at home on Sunday and a staff party at Tenby Golf Club later in the month.