By Emily Bridgewater

A POPULAR Studley newsagent is being forced to shut up shop this Saturday after losing trade to big-name competitors.

Tony Cronin, owner of Studley News, blames the arrival of Tesco Express in the village as the main reason for the closure of his store.

"The spread of the Tesco disease has ripped out the heart of our local community and other communities," he said.

Mr Cronin and his family took over the Alcester Road shop almost 12 years ago, after being run by one family for a century.

"From our perspective it is very distressing. We said 12 years ago that this is where our future was going to be and we decided to put our roots here and make a long-term commitment to the community - but sometimes it doesn't quite work out like that.

"I consider ourselves to be a community retailer whereas these bigger blue chip companies are just out for themselves and not interested in the community."

Mr Cronin added recent roadworks on the A435 through Studley had zapped his trade.

"The final nail in the coffin was the road works which ran between September and April. It decimated our trade, because while we are a community store, we also rely on a lot of passing trade and because of the road works we weren't getting any," he said.

"I would just like to say my sincerest thanks for all the cards and letters we have received from customers. We are very grateful to have made so many friends."

Studley News will cease trading on Saturday at 7.30pm.