by Rebecca Hannant
The owners of Moores Newsagents in Queen Street, Withernsea, are set to retire after 45 years, with a new owner taking over the business.
Since 1980, owners Robin and Jill Moore have worked tirelessly to run the newsagents’ shop, which has around 100 years of history. The shop, originally described as “three wooden sheds attached to each other”, has undergone several refurbishments and become a lifeline for many in the town.
For Robin and Jill, it has been more than a job – it has been a way of life, with the couple raising their four children within the shop.
Jill Moore said: “From being a wooden shack, the shop has grown in business and trade. We put an off-licence in it for the first few years. At the beginning, we never had a holiday – instead we ate, drank and slept in the shop. We have got four kids between us, and they’ve all grown up doing Saturday work, doing the paper rounds.”
Robin added: “I’ve delivered papers from this shop since I was 16. We still deliver to a customer in Holmpton who is in his 90s.”
After many years of running the shop, Jill and Robin decided to take a step back to travel, eventually finding a new home in Thailand. Staff member Paul Ashwell then stepped in to help run the shop, with Jill and Robin supporting him along the way.
Jill added: “We call Paul Ashwell the son we never had. He has been with us for many years. Paul used to be a painter and decorator but wanted to change profession. We eventually built a house in Thailand. He moved in and stepped in to run the shop as a manager, which he has done successfully. We owe him a debt of gratitude because it allowed us to do what we want and travel while we were young and healthy enough. It was more than a job – it was a way of life.”
After talks with the team, Jill and Robin decided to sell the property and business, with Paul also deciding to move on to become his father’s carer. Once it was on the market, Jill and Robin said they had interest from more than 450 people, with 44 coming to view. The shop has now been taken on by businessman Kopy Thuraisingam Rajanayagam.
Jill added: “I think customers will be sad to see the change. They are going to be sad to see Paul go because they’ve had more contact with him over the last few years. Paul has run it singlehandedly for the last seven years at least.
“We will be sad to see it go – it has given us a good living. We’ve kept the staff, we’re not always changing staff. We regard our staff very highly. I think they’d also regard us as good bosses because they’re not all out looking for other jobs.”
Paul added: “I will miss all the banter with the customers. Some of them are like friends to me, and I will miss seeing them every day.”
In a letter to customers, Jill and Robin wrote: “After 45 incredible years, the time has come for us to say goodbye as we step into retirement. Running Moores Newsagents has been an absolute privilege, and we are truly grateful for the support of our amazing community. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Paul and our fantastic team.
“Your dedication and loyalty have been invaluable, and we couldn’t have done it without you. Most importantly, to our wonderful customers – thank you. Many of you have become much more than customers; you’ve been dear friends.
“Your kindness and support over the years has meant the world to us, and we will cherish the memories we have shared. As we close this chapter of our lives, we do so with immense gratitude and fondness. Thank you all for being part of our incredible journey.
“We wish the new owner, Mr Kopy Thuraisingam Rajanayagam, all the best for the future.”