AN organic produce shop has had a stay of execution after customers at the neighbouring tattoo parlour raised a petition.

Now the grocery business says people must vote with their wallets and save the store by shopping there.

The Farmaround shop in Newbiggin, Richmond, announced last week that it would close because it was running at a loss.

But the company was overwhelmed by support from customers, which included the petition signed by clients of the tattooist next door.

Isobel Davies, who opened the shop in January last year after she relocated her organic fruit and vegetable home delivery box scheme to Richmond, agreed to try to keep the store open for another month to give customers the chance to save it.

She said: "We at Farm-around love our shop and it was with a heavy heart that we took the decision to close. The reason is simple, we need to double the sales to not lose money.

"We do not mind not making any profit. However, we cannot sustain these month-on-month losses.

"We are extremely grateful to everyone who has signed a petition. If sales were to increase significantly, then we would be able to reconsider the shop's future. We really do not want to have to close."