Gerald Dodson is the last man standing in the art business in Stockbridge.

His Wyekham Gallery is celebrating its 30th year and during the last six months he has seen two rivals, Courcoux & Courcoux and Dogs in Art, shut up shop.

“We are the sole survivor in terms of gallery space. It’s not good news because many people came to Stockbridge to visit all three,” he said.

Gerald, 58, bought the business 14 years ago from its founder Sally Milligan.

It was a complete career change for Gerald who had been working in the city.

“It was unusual to be able to find an existing, trading gallery in Hampshire for sale,” he said.

Since then the business has weathered the financial crash and Gerald says the art market seems quite healthy at present.

Gerlad say he has resisted temptations to expand the business or open an outlet in London.

“I’m happy to be here,” he said.

The gallery has a roster of around 50 artists who – many of whom were on Wykeham’s books when Gerald took over the business.

Three of those regulars feature in the gallery’s latest exhibition, which runs until June 13. David Howell, from Yorkshire, is a past president of the Royal Society of Marine Artists, who is well known for his seascapes and depictions of horseracing. Dutchman Ewoud de Groot specialises in studies of wading birds and the third member of the trio, landscape artist Maureen Davies, comes from Rockbourne in the New Forest.

Wykeham Gallery in Stockbridge High Street is open from 10am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and on Sundays by special arrangement.