Newtown's "last corner shop" has closed its doors for the final time after almost 40 years serving the community.

David Stanley Mills, known to many as Stan, bid farewell to customers on Sunday (May 8) leading to an outpouring of well wishers from locals.

Stans General Stores in Bryn Street has been put on the market and Stan has decided to start his "well overdue" retirement.

After decades in the business, Stan said the "biggest disappointment" was that he thought somebody would take the business because there is a "future for little shops yet".

"The community is very disappointed that the shop will close. We were hoping to stay open but they’re all sorry to see it go," Stan said.

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"It’s a shame it’s closing down after such a long time. It’s been well-established now and we’ve had people come from Aberystwyth for potatoes and they come from as far as Oswestry. They’re all disappointed to see us go and lose a shop."

Stan added: "We’re very sorry to be going and we hope that somebody in the near future might take over yet. We live in hope but that’s all we can do really.

"I would like to thank our customers for their custom over 40 years or so. We can’t carry on any longer and I can’t run it by myself. My retirement is very much overdue."

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The 79-year-old said: "I don’t see much future staying around this area. The town has gone very, very quiet. It’s absolutely dead after 3.30pm and it’s a shame that it’s dying a little as it is.

"There’s not much going on there at the moment and there’s very little in Newtown these days. I don't know how it's going to survive in the next few months, things are only going to get tighter not better in the next 12 months. You’ve got to hope for the best and try to keep going."

The retail store and two residential flats are currently on the market with Morris Marshall & Poole for £160,000.