STAFF at a Bridport town centre newsagents have told of their shock after it was announced the store would be suddenly closing down with the loss of seven jobs.
Workers at Central News Plus say they were given nine days' notice that the parent company who owns it would be shutting the shop permanently.
The long-established convenience store and newsagents, on the corner of East Street and Barrack Street, is closing down today.
Staff were told on Tuesday, March 22, that the shop would be closing on March 31 because the business 'was no longer profitable'.
The shop employs seven staff and despite only being informed they would be losing their jobs recently, some have found new roles elsewhere.
Current employees have paid thanks to their community of customers over the years and say they are sad to be going but it is a situation out of their control.
A staff member, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “It has all been very frustrating for us staff, they had already sold off the paper round so I expected they had planned it for a while.
“After they sold off the paper round the company has said the shop is no longer profitable, it’s all been a bit like the P&O fiasco and has all been far from ideal at all.
“People are gutted we are going because we are the only actual newsagent, especially because the shop has been here for so long.”
The staff member continued: “Luckily the Bridport community have been coming in and suggesting places we can work and some staff have found new jobs already.
“We also owe a big thank you to the staff who have worked here over the years.
“The ones who are here now would like to continue mainly because of the great community we have coming in but we cannot.”
Local resident Andrew Rutherford says he has been using the shop for more than 20 years and was disappointed with the news.
He said: "The closure came as a shock to us, as it was to the staff with the very short notice.
"Obviously it is an inconvenience for the customers and more so for the employees who have lost their jobs.
"It is very disappointing how the company has acted without taking into account the impact."
Central News was approached for comment.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here