A CONVENIENCE store that has served a Teesside community for decades is to close in the face of competition from a supermarket.

Spar shop, on Durham Lane, in Eaglescliffe, is to stop trading next month leaving 11 members of staff out of work.

The announcement has sparked fears among other traders on Orchard Shopping Precinct that the move could have a domino effect, forcing other businesses to close.

Chris Bacon, Spar eastern regional manager, blamed the arrival of Tesco three years ago for their closure.

"It is a shame, but on a summer's day that store casts a shadow over ours and it is killing the precinct," said Mr Bacon.

"We invested over £100,000 and expanded the store a lot over five years ago but the lease has come up and we have decided it is no longer viable from a business point of view."

Manager Rosemary Thompson, 42, who has worked in the store for 26 years, said most of her employees had found work at the nearby Tesco store.

But she is still looking for a job and said the closure on October 11 would be a sad day for people in the locality.

"It is going to have one heck of an impact on the community because people come and get what they need but also come in for a natter," said Mrs Thompson. Staff at the shop have provided a friendly and familiar service to people in Eaglescliffe and those passing through.

Local disabled and blind people have brought in lists and chatted while their groceries are collected for them.

Regular customer Geoff Brown, 55, a retired school teacher of Manor Gate, Long Newton expressed his disappointment at the store's closure.

He said: "This service is going to be missed and I am sure that other people will miss it too.

"You can come in here for anything and everything and it is about having the convenience of a local store. It's a great pity."