LOYAL shoppers said they are devastated at the prospect of losing a shop that has traded in a town for over 30 years. 

Grace Cards and Books in St Andrew's Square Shopping Centre, Droitwich is set to close its doors on Saturday, April 30. 

It hit the headlines after the owners won an appeal after racking up a £44,000 court bill having breached the rules during the second lockdown in November 2020 and on two occasions in February and March last year.

Store owners Lydia and Alasdair Walker-Cox were busy with customers making the most of the final month of trading and a half price sale this morning (Tuesday).

The modest shop was full to overflowing with shoppers trying to get their hands on the best deals. 

Mrs Walker-Cox said: "Hopefully it will have a big impact and hopefully we will be missed. 
"We are part of the furniture in Droitwich. 

"The local community was very sad, another independent retailer is closing down. 

"From yesterday, everything is half price apart from edibles, newspaper and stamps." 

Mrs Walker-Cox said independent stores like Graces Cards and Books cannot compete with online shopping. 

"Independents aren't really replaced.

"In towns like ours, once an independent store goes, they don't usually come back. 

"Our landlord didn't even offer to lower the rent. But the biggest elephant in the room is the internet."


Steve Vernum and Sherrie Vernum, who were shopping for cards, said they were devasted about the closure of the store.

The couple has been coming to the store for the past 20 years. 

Mr Vernum said: "It's quite devastating, they've battled through Covid-19 and they won that case, it's going to be a well-missed shop. 

"It has everything and there is nowhere like this in Droitwich.

"You can't shop anywhere like this. And get all the quirky stuff. 

The couple heard about the store closure on Facebook. 

"We saw it on Facebook and I thought it was the COVID-19 lot again. 

"But we felt upset, a lot of the neighbourhood and family use this shop." 

"Where is the line going to stop and where is the help for local people." 

"Look at the amount of shops in the precinct that have closed and it's just been closure after closure."

Worcester News: Steve Vernum was devastated about the store closure Steve Vernum was devastated about the store closure

John Baker has been a loyal customer for decades and found the news very upsetting. 

Mr Baker said: "I've been coming here since I was 10 or 12, when the store opened.

 "I come and see them every single day if I can. They are like family to me." 

Worcester News: Grace Cards and Books has a closing down sale Grace Cards and Books has a closing down sale
Popping into the store is a key part of Mr Baker's daily routine that consists of heading into town, visiting a couple of shops and having lunch in the town centre before he goes home." 
Mr Baker enjoys the routine and chatting with the card owners every day. 

"I am a regular in Droitwich, it's important for me to see them, so they can listen to my grievances." 

 "It's going to be difficult and it might take me a few days to adjust that they are gone.