A MOBILE phone and internet service provider has shut its doors in Andover, with the unit set to become a new coffee shop.

Three has now closed its store, based on Chantry Street near the Guildhall.

For its customers, this means a 35-mile round trip to its nearest store in Winchester, with its other closest stores located in Newbury, Salisbury, Eastleigh and Basingstoke.

However, the international telecommunications company has said that it is looking into a possible relocation.

A spokesman for Three said: “Following a review of our operations in the area, we have closed our Andover store.

“All staff have been relocated to one of our other sites in the region and we are actively looking at replacement locations in the area.”

Gourmet drinks firm Coffee#1 says it is due to open in the town in October, believed to be in the old Three unit.

It opened its first store in 2001 and has been expanding across the South West.

The company, which also has branches in Southampton and Portsmouth, is currently advertising for a manager, assistant manager, and full- and part-time baristas.

Test Valley borough councillor for the town centre St Mary’s ward, Councillor Iris Andersen, sees this as a chance to support new business.

Cllr Andersen said: “I think obviously the store has said about relocating to another property and the way I see it at the moment something else is going to go in there.

“We try to support business all the time.

“To me it’s not just in Andover that shops are closing but the business is gone, they say they’re going to move elsewhere which is very positive.

“They’ve left us but it’s not been empty for a long time and a new business is moving in.

“We’re lucky another business is looking to come in there. “Let’s support all the businesses we have in Andover.”

Andover town centre manager Chris Gregory declined to comment.

What would you like to see open in Andover?

Is another coffee shop to be welcomed?

What else is needed in the town?

We’d love to hear from you. Please e-mail your views and opinions to newsdesk@andoveradvertiser.co.uk.