Residents have been sharing their disappointment over the closure of a popular store in their Nottinghamshire village. It was announced earlier this week that six McColl's shops will be closing across the county, including the one based on St Wilfreds Square, Calverton.
The closures come after Morrisons, who bought the business earlier this year, revealed plans to close 132 shops across the UK, putting around 1,300 jobs at risk. Other locations closing in Nottinghamshire include Carlton Hill and the shop in Walesby Drive, Kirkby-in-Ashfield.
Calverton residents say they are upset over the news, with many of them visiting the store most days. Retired, Janice Guy, 71, said: "This is the nearest newsagent for papers.
Read More: 'Welcoming' Notts pub named as one of the top four in the country
"I know they sell a few at Sainsbury's but they never have many unless you go first thing in the morning." When asked how she felt over the closure, she said: "It's disappointing.
"It would be interesting to see what replaces it in Calverton. It's growing so big now that there are not enough shop facilities."
Retired, Trevor Carr, 70, of Calverton, and his wife are also troubled by the news. He said: "We are disappointed as there's been a paper shop there since this was built, so about 1962 or 1963."
When asked how often they went to the store, he said: "Every day, we are old fashioned so we do go and buy a paper." The couple say they will now have to go to Sainsbury's or the nearby Co-op.
A 78-year-old woman who did not wish to be named said: "I can remember it when the space was first built in the sixties and it's been a paper shop ever since. It's sad really.
"I shop for an elderly woman and she can't get out to go and get the paper, so she's going to have to get myself or a neighbour to. Everyone who is not mobile will be stuck to get a paper.
"It's very sad. I go regularly, not every day but usually three or four times a week."
When asked his thoughts on McColl's closing, retired, Lez Yates, 67, of Calverton, said: "Well it will probably be replaced by a fast food shop. It's all fast food opening now.
"We had better shops in the 1960s, we had hardware and electrical stores, we were self-contained in Calverton but now we have to travel all the time to get what we want." Lez said that he goes to the store every day, and without it he will have to go to the Co-op.
Other business owners in the area have also expressed their sadness. Owner of The Pork Butchers, Peter Shaw, says it's sad to see a business close on the square.
He said: "I just think it is sad really that the paper shop is closing. Really we are all struggling as it is at the moment. I've been here 47 years, and I've seen it change hands about five times. It's sad really."
Co-owners of Calverton & District Funeral Services, Craig Henderson and Simon Bodkin, say that they do not wish to see McColls close. Craig said: "We don't want McColls to shut, it's a good shop.
"We just don't want it to close, but if they could put a Chinese in there that would be good." Simon added: "It gives the town a good service and the staff have always been good there."
Read Next:
Matt Hancock's I'm A Celebrity payday revealed - and it's one of the biggest ever
Rarely seen Nottingham caves set to open to public as part of Being Human Festival
Nightmare for neighbours as 'massive' hole in road left by flooding
Arnold family claim they've waited 5 years for repairs to be made to their home
Derelict college site set to be transformed with new homes after plans passed 'with deep regret'
