A LONG-established Kendal bookshop is to shut down after 24 years in business.

Henry Roberts’ Book Shop on Stramongate has been unable to compete with the internet and supermarket chains.

The shop is housed in one of Kendal’s oldest buildings and has been a hub for book lovers since PR Books took over the premises in 1989.

The outlet is having a closing down sale and is due to shut its doors on January 11, with two members of staff losing their jobs. PR Books Ltd, based on the Mealbank Estate in Kendal, also closed the Henry Roberts book shop in Hawkshead last month.

However, the shops in Ambleside and Bowness will remain open.

Company accountant Andy Lawson said: “This decision to close the shop was one that was not taken lightly. It really was a last resort.

“The shop has not been turning a profit for a long time now and it has come to the point where it is running at a loss. This is down to the competition from supermarkets and the internet and also just general lack of customers.”

The Ordnance Survey maps, a popular service that ran from the book shop, will still be available from the company’s site on the Mealbank Estate.

The building itself has an extensive history. It was built in the 16th century and it was once home of the British explorer Captain James Cook’s sister.

Derek Armstrong, a representative for the Chamber of Trade in Kendal, said: “It is very unfortunate that a shop that has been trading in the area for such a long time has had to shut down.

“We, at the Tourist Information Centre, would often send people to the shop. It is sad but we hope that the businesses in the town will get back on their feet and the introduction of Kendal as a Business Improvement District in March will help.”