A POPULAR family-run shoe shop has announced with a “heavy heart” they are closing an outlet which has enjoyed a prominent place on Durham's high street for 30 years.

Scorpio Shoes, on the city's Saddler Street, where many generations have bought their first Doc Martens, is now holding an end-of-lease sale.

Laura Tregoning, daughter-in-law of store founder Ken Tregoning, said: “This was a difficult decision and it’s heartbreaking to say goodbye to the city of Durham after 30 years.

The Northern Echo:

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our loyal and supportive customers over the years, we’ve had some fantastic times which made this decision all the more difficult .

“Our sale is now ongoing until we close our doors for the last time. This isn’t the end of Scorpio Shoes. Please support your local independent by shopping with us in our store in Newcastle’s Grainger Market and Spennymoor, Our website will continue to trade as normal."

She added: "The response we have had to our Facebook post has been phenomenal. There have been so many expressions of sorrow.

“We have had old members of staff contacting me telling me how they have enjoyed themselves here.

"People have contacted us and said “I bought my first pair of Doc Martens there and now my kids buy them now”. It has been a lovely response from customers past and present."

Mrs Tregoning, said decision to close followed the sad death of her husband Steve two year ago, coupled with the lease coming to an end.

She said: "My father-in-law made a very sad decision not to commit ourselves to a lease for a further term."

Mr Tregoning opened his first store in Newcastle, followed by Durham 30 years ago.

Mrs Tregoning said: "It has always been very much a family business. Both my sons Mark and Alex have worked in the shop as well.

"Our website was built on the back of support from many students who have bought shoes at the store.

“The initial idea of doing mail order were my husband’s because we had so many students and their parents shopping there.

"When students they left after three to four years they still wanted out shoes and asked to us to post them out. so we started with a little mail order catelogue and it developed from there."