A VILLAGE store which was the scene of a brutal murder will not reopen, The Northern Echo understands.

Planning permission to change the use of the Village Shop and Post Office in Melsonby, between Richmond and Darlington, has not yet been sought.

However, Melsonby Parish Council has been told by the owner that the business will remain closed and the premises will instead be used for residential purposes.

In 2010, the body of postmistress Diana Garbutt was found in the living quarters above the shop. She had been beaten to death.

Her husband, Robin, was later charged with her murder and found guilty at a trial at Teesside Crown Court.

Last year, the property, which has stood empty since the murder, was bought by the victim's mother Agnes Gaylor, who at the time said she wanted to finish the work on the kitchen which her daughter had started.

The sale prompted fresh hope among villagers that the shop and post office would one day be reopened.

But a meeting of the parish council heard Ms Gaylor had informed the parish clerk this would not happen.

The minutes of the meeting stated: "The owner is in the process of carrying out remedial works to make the property safe and habitable.

"Once the property is in a satisfactory condition the owner plans to put it back on the market.

"She has no intention of running it as a shop and is not prepared to rent it out for that purpose.

"She stated that she had spoken to (Richmondshire District Council) about the possibility of change of use back to residential property and they had indicated this would be considered. She thinks that this will make make the property more saleable."

Parish councillor Bill Nixon, who runs Nixon's Garage, across the road from the property, said the parish council may object to the change of use application.

However, he said he was not hopeful of the application being successfully challenged.

He added: "The fittings have gone, the sign has gone, everything has gone - it's not going to be a shop any more.

"It's a shame because we have lost our village shop but unfortunately we've got to move on. People have just had to make other arrangements."

Robin Garbutt, who was told he would serve a minimum of 20 years for his wife's murder, has submitted documents to the Criminal Cases Review Commission in a bid to force a retrial.