AFTER hearing the news that Waitrose is going to close in the summer, shoppers told the Shuttle/Times & News they were surprised - and some devastated.

Fitness instructor, Heidi Jones, of Roden Avenue, Kidderminster, said it was "probably one of the best" shops in the town, while Comberton 81-year-old, Thomas Kirkham, said he was disappointed and would now shop in Stourbridge instead.

Forty-two-year-old Mrs Jones, went on: "I'm devastated. It's a brilliant shop with excellent custom."

She added: "I can't believe it because it's such an old established store.

"I won't travel to Droitwich for my shopping."

Forty-four-year-old machine operator, Alan Brown, of Finland Street, Kidderminster, added: "I do all my regular shopping at Waitrose so I'll have to find somewhere else to go, probably Tesco."

Adding he could not understand why it was closing, he said: "I'll still go to the other shops, but reluctantly so, because I've always liked Waitrose. It sells top quality food."

Shocked 75-year-old Mary Morgan said: "It will affect me very much because I can't drive so I'll just have to shop elsewhere in Kidderminster, probably in M & S, because not having a car and with a bad back I'm not able to walk very far.

"I'm very surprised and I'd rather it stayed, obviously. I'll still carry on shopping in this part of the town though."