A popular Durham tea shop has been forced to close - but customers can rest assured that this is only a temporary measure.

Whittard of Chelsea, an upmarket tea and coffee retailer located in Durham’s Market Square, has closed for a number of weeks - with loyal customers worried after signs appeared on the shop’s door saying, “due to unforeseen circumstances, this store has had to close”.

A spokesperson for Whittard of Chelsea confirmed that the shop should reopen soon, with the current closure a “purely temporary measure” to allow the building the shop is housed in to undergo emergency repair works.

Currently, no exact date has been set for when the shop will reopen, but a spokesperson said: “We hope to be back open in a few weeks.”

The Northern Echo: A sign appeared on the shop's door, outlining 'unforeseen circumstances' as the reason for closure.A sign appeared on the shop's door, outlining 'unforeseen circumstances' as the reason for closure. (Image: The Northern Echo)

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They added: “This is a purely temporary measure to allow us to undergo emergency building maintenance.”

The popular beverage shop had been a staple of the Durham high street for years, developing a loyal customer base within the Durham resident and university student communities.

Whittard of Chelsea has been providing the country with “the finest tea, coffee and hot chocolate” since 1886.