A FAMILY shop has closed its doors after nearly 90 years of trading.

Wainwrights, a Londis group member, acted as a convenience store and newsagents in Drury for 89 years prior to closing just before Christmas.

The store also had a post office inside and will be sorely missed within the locality.

The family business began in 1930 after being launched by Sam Wainwright. Following his retirement, his son Alan took over until his unfortunate passing in 1997.

But after leaving school the same year, Deborah Wainwright began running the business with her mother, Bea, and has done until its recent closure.

Cllr Mike Peers, Drury resident and county councillor for Buckley Pentrobin, said: “The shop closure will be a loss to the community and Drury will not be the same without Wainwrights shop.

“I wish Deb and her family the very best for the future, and to say thanks on behalf of Drury, Burntwood and the surrounding area to her family for providing such a great service for all the years since 1930.”

Also closing will be the post office located inside the shop, but it is hoped that the post office can reopen elsewhere in the community if interested parties and suitable premises can be found.

A Post Office spokesman said: “We can confirm that the postmaster who ran Drury Post Office has resigned and withdrawn the premises for Post Office use. The branch was run independently and while we always work hard to maintain Post Office services, from time to time, branches do temporarily close. When this happens, we always look to restore services as quickly as possible, as we know how important Post Offices are to communities.

“Any retailer or small business owner interested in running the Post Office and incorporating it into their business should email NTquestions@postoffice.co.uk or visit www.runapostoffice.co.uk.”