Richardson's in St John's will reopen shortly following a change in management.

The previous owners have stepped down for personal reasons.

They have asked that their privacy be respected at this time.

A sign in the window yesterday said the shop would be “closed until further notice - we apologise for your inconvenience.”

The move left some customers questioning why the shop shut suddenly without notice and whether they will be refunded for subscriptions they've already paid.

Roger Marston, 77, from St John’s, said: “I expected my newspaper to be delivered this morning but it wasn’t.

“I rang the shop but there was no reply.

“The Co-op don’t do newspaper delivery.”

A business owner near to the shop, who does not want to be identified, said: “ The couple that run it are really nice and it was open as normal yesterday - it just doesn’t add up.”

Cllr Richard Udall said: “I’ve noticed recently the footfall in the shop is not what it used to be for a variety of local concerns.”

The shop was set up over 100 years ago. The owners purchased the business three years ago, but kept the Richardson's name.