The decision of a historic County Durham art shop and art gallery to close its doors after 40 years of trading has been met with sadness from its regular customers. 

The Art Shop & Kemble Gallery, which is based on Saddler Street in Durham City, has been serving the community for four decades - but has now revealed that next month will be its final month of trading.

Revealing the news of the closure, The Art Shop & Kemble Gallery said that March 31 would be its final day of trading and that all wholesale prints and art supplies would be 50 per cent until that time.

The independent gallery and art shop in the historic City of Durham is an independent business and has been going for just over 40 years.

Named after Stephen Kemble, theatre manager and actor, the building itself is over 500 years old and is one of the last timber-framed buildings left in Durham.

The Kemble Gallery has three floors of Fine Art, Prints, Gifts & Art Supplies, while also offering a bespoke framing service. 

In a short statement, the shop said on its website: "The Kemble Gallery and Art Shop is closing down. The last date will be March 31, 2024.

"Thank you to all our customers who have supported us over the years."

Despite the short statement announcing the closure, since announcing the closure - customers have been sharing their memories of the shop.

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Reminiscing about the shop, one customer said: "How very sad. Such a shame that city centres are being stripped of their unique identities and filled with ubiquitous brands."

Meanwhile, one woman shared the unique experience that her water broke in the store 18 years ago before giving birth to her son.

Another person simply said: "It's sad to see the art shop closing another loss to Durham city hope best wishes to the owners and staff."