A BAGEL retailer who planned to open ten outlets across the region has closed his only store.

Mike Wall, founder of Wall Street Bagel, in Darlington, has closed the shop only seven months after investing £100,000 in the business.

Mr Wall said yesterday: "I have no comment other than to say this is to do with the ongoing development plans in Darlington."

Mr Wall had hoped that his shop in Priestgate would be the first of many across the North-East.

Talking to The Northern Echo in July, he said he wanted to open two sites in Newcastle, one in Durham and another in Middlesbrough before Christmas.

By the end of this year, Mr Wall, from Hartlepool, had said he hoped to have established ten company stores, as well as a number of franchises nationwide.