Denny Bros Supplies Ltd in Bury St Edmunds closes suddenly after nearly 80 years in business

A well-known arts supplies and stationery shop in Bury St Edmunds town centre has closed suddenly after nearly 80 years in business.

Denny Bros Supplies Ltd, in St Andrew’s Street South, welcomed customers for the final time on Saturday, having been based in the town since 1945.

The independent, family-owned retail store specialised in arts and crafts, stationery, printing and framing.

Joy Denny, 30, managing director, said: “We are devastated to be honest. The shop has so much history and it has been a major part of my whole adult life.

“It’s a bit shocking for the public as it seems quite sudden. We’re really sad we didn’t get to say much of a goodbye but unfortunately we’re just doing what we have to do and it’s just one of those things.

“It’s been in the family for generations and it’s horrible that we’re the ones that’s in this situation but it’s sadly a culmination of many things over the past few years.”

Joy, who has been running the business since she was a teenager, cited the pandemic, Brexit, the cost-of-living crisis and the energy crisis as reasons for the store closure.

It has also been targeted by shoplifters.

Joy said she is still proud that the shop has remained open for as long as it has despite the various struggles it has faced.

“We are gutted to be in the situation we’re in but we feel it’s an achievement to have got this far.

“There was a time we didn’t think we’d be opening after the pandemic but we’ve managed to outlive other businesses and places like Debenhams.

“We’ve weathered a lot of storms and overcome so many challenges, and we do feel proud that we’ve carried on for as long as we could.

“We would like to thank our wonderful loyal customers for their support and are devastated to not be able to serve you all again.

“We know you appreciate us and we definitely appreciate you.”

The Denny Bros Group remains unaffected by the shop's closure.