A popular food and drink shop in Darlington has announced that it will be closing down later this month after putting out an emotional statement to customers. 

The Cheese and Wine Shop, which is based on Clark's Yard in the town, has been in Darlington since 1999, and under the current ownership for the last five years.

But it has been announced that the shop will close for good on September 28, with the owners citing costs, alongside personal reasons, for closing the business. 

In a statement to customers, the owners, Claire and Katy, highlighted that August was their worst-performing month financially since opening - and also noted the struggles for all retailers on the high street.

The Cheese and Wine ShopThe Cheese and Wine Shop (Image: TVCA) The statement read: "We’ve made the tough decision that the all-consuming pressure that comes with running a small business, is no longer something we can cope with, given our exceptional personal circumstances.

"We still firmly believe if someone had the energy and resources to set up online delivery, open 6 days a week for longer hours without taking a wage, and analyse stock sales and margins properly, invest some more cash, expand into a bigger premise and re-start the sell-out tasting nights, the shop could flourish into a successful business.

"But, we haven’t got that in us right now, so instead, all we can manage is to tick over, which is OK, but compartmentalising some of the pressure that comes with that is getting harder. 

"We also want to be honest and recognise the difficulties facing the high street right now.

"August has been our worst trade in five years, and we’re down 10 per cent year on year for this month (despite enjoying relative growth up to this point), and this has ‘sealed the deal’ for us.

"We’ve seen many other Darlington-based businesses close their doors and claim it’s for other reasons, but we speak with each other and all admit how hard it is becoming so we want to be honest and say it is REALLY hard, particularly in retail, if only we could make our own cheese!"

Most read:

Get more from The Northern Echo and stay informed with a digital subscription. Click here to find out more.

The statement added that, due to September 28 being the last day of trading for the business, no other stock would be ordered and the shop would be reverting to cash-only payments. 

"Last of all we just want to express our deepest gratitude to our loyal customer base, those who have either been there from the beginning or who have discovered us in the years since we took over the shop and have been with us since; for supporting us not just by spending your cash with us but also by being our friends," the statement concluded. 

"You’re the reason that it’s taken us so long to make this decision as we know we have created something special in our little cheese-filled world."