A fruit and veg shop is set to close after 25 years because the owner claims 'there is not enough custom'.
Abbey Fruits in Waltham Abbey, southwest Essex, will close its doors for the last time on Saturday (June 6).
Manager Barry Kent, 56, told the Epping Forest Guardian that he will miss his loyal customers, but has no choice but to close after seeing transactions drop from 2,500 to 600 a week.
He told the paper: 'It is very difficult. You can't afford to employ someone to work in the shop besides yourself because there is not enough custom and you can't work for 16 hours a day by yourself.
'The shop lost sales because the times changed. When I opened in 1990 it was very busy and people relied on us to get their weekly food shop. Now there is online shopping, supermarkets and Sunday openings, it is hard to compete.
'I will miss my loyal customers but the street has become so quiet. I assume in the coming years many shops will close and reopen with the times. I will be sad to see the shop go but I think it is the right time.'
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