A BELOVED family-run shop has closed its doors after an incredible 125 years, with the owner saying it’s finally “time for a holiday.”
Burrows Newsagent, a city centre landmark since 1899, in Ely, served its last customers on April 26.
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According to Better Retailing, the Cambridgeshire shop was overwhelmed with thanks from loyal customers past and present as it shut for good.
Annabel Reddick, the only full-time employee and niece of owner Jeff Burrows, said the final day was packed with emotion.
“People were constantly coming in saying ‘thank you,’ bringing presents and cards,” she said.
The shop was first opened by Jeff’s grandfather, James Frederick Burrows, and stayed in the family across four generations.
Annabel’s great-grandfather passed it on to her grandfather Percy, then to Jeff, with Annabel stepping in as part of the team.
“It has always been a traditional family business,” Annabel told Retail Express.
“My mum worked here until a year before she died, and another member of staff retired about the same time — but even then, he kept coming back to help us.”
The shop was more than just a place to buy newspapers.
It became a vital community hub, offering a personal touch that’s rare these days.
The decision to close didn’t come easily.
Burrows provided a crucial paper delivery service, with about 20 boys and girls delivering to nearly 700 loyal customers every morning.
Jeff, who began working full-time in the shop in 1965, took over from his father in 1973.
He recalled being a young boy, helping collect papers from the station on the 6:40am train.
As Jeff told the BBC, the shop has always opened early, 5am every day except Christmas, and stuck to a cash or cheque-only system.
“By the time you’ve paid the charges, you’d make very little,” he explained.
The shop employed around 500 paperboys and papergirls over the years, giving many teens their first taste of work.
“It taught them to count, responsibility, and commitment,” Annabel said.
A week before the final day, more than 80 former paper deliverers gathered to take a group photo outside the shop, sharing stories and celebrating the shop’s legacy.
The final day was meant to be a quiet goodbye, but the community had other plans.
“We made a point of closing the door at 4pm and blocking it, but we kept getting a flow of customers and visitors,” Annabel laughed.
Sadly, Jeff missed the big farewell due to illness.
Burrows stuck to magazines, newspapers, and a few greeting cards, while the high street around it changed.
Local businesses joined in the tributes, with the Ely Museum posting online: “Burrows will undoubtedly be missed.
Jeff has sold his paper round to a national company and plans to enjoy a well-earned retirement.
“We haven’t had to close,” Jeff said. “This is purely about retirement — and spending more time at the caravan in north Norfolk.”
He sent a heartfelt letter to customers, thanking them for their support and saying the family was “proud and honoured to be part of Ely’s history for all these years.”
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