A POPULAR Romsey book shop is set to close after becoming a victim of online shopping.

Superbook located in The Hundred is set to close this summer after a ten year lease.

According to Peter Bell from Bell's Bookshop LTD who operate Superbook: "Online shopping

has led to a marked decline in footfall in the towns where we trade, some more than others, and this has resulted in a substantial fall in turnover.

"Relying as we do on bulk buying and central distribution we cannot, sadly, consider Romsey in isolation, and we will be closing when our 10 year lease comes to an end."

Mr Bell confirmed that the shop is set the close in June and the premises is currently being advertised to let by Myddelton & Major Estate agents based in Salisbury and Andover.

He added:"Contrary to popular belief, in our case at least, our landlord in Romsey has been supportive and fair, but the growth of online shopping, coupled with rising costs, is resulting in many retail businesses, ours included, disappearing from our High Streets."

Town Centre Manager, Mark Edgerley said:"It is always sad to see a popular business close, nationally we are seeing far too many do so, however nearly 80% of retailing is still done through physical shops and we know the landlord of this unit is very supportive of their tenants which is no doubt why unit is already under offer."

Peter Speirs , the president of the Romsey District Chamber of Commerce described the closure as a "great loss"

He said: "Superbook is a fantastic shop but across the country less people are shopping on the high street and there is a loss of walk in trade.

"Romsey is doing well as a town and we are below average on the amount of empty units that we have."

More than 100 residents have already taken to social media to share their thoughts on the upcoming closure of the bookshop.

One Facebook user said: "What a huge gap will be left in Romsey when we see this wonderful bookshop close at the end of June, always a popular stop with all my family!"

A spokesperson from the shop who wished not be named said: "It is nice to see that people are recognising what they are loosing."