A SHOP has announced its imminent closure.

The Centre of Britain Army Surplus shop in Haltwhistle has been a mainstay of the town for six years, but they have been trading on eBay since 2001.

A spokesperson from the company explained to their fans: "Our second three year lease on the shop is due to expire at the end of November.

"After much consideration, we have decided to take a slightly early retirement rather than renew a third time and will close the shop for good, before the end of November.

"We will continue an on-line presence well into 2023 to clear away remaining stocks.

"We’d like to thank everyone for making us welcome here in the town, and for shopping and supporting us.

"Also thanks to the Haltwhistle Partnership for giving us the opportunity of being here in the first place.

"We started selling Army Surplus and Collectables on eBay in 2001, working from home in a small space at the foot of our stairs.

"Within a year, we’d filled the house with stock, all bedrooms, hall, stairs and landing, garden sheds, my van, a trailer, even a huge pile under a tarpaulin in the garden.

"When the deliveries got too big for couriers to bring to the house and the pallet wagons couldn’t get along our lane, we looked for a new location.

"We took over an industrial unit at Acomb which served us well for almost three years until one night at locking up time we realised we had that much stock, we couldn’t get the roller shutter door closed.

"That’s when we moved to Haltwhistle.

"And the last six years… where have they gone?"

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