Sad closure of historic Sidmouth shop

Customers have reacted with shock and sadness at the apparent closure of a much-loved Sidmouth shop that dates back 200 years.

The windows of family-run Trumps in Fore Street have been papered over since Monday morning.

It is believed that owners Mark and Jackie Feeney held a get-together for their friends and regulars on Sunday.

Di Brookes had been going to the store’s café for six years and said: “Jackie and Mark are well loved. They created a lovely family atmosphere. For the locals who go there, it’s a real blow.”

Dawn Manley, Di’s colleague at nearby business The Lighthouse, added: “You could get things in Trumps you couldn’t get anywhere else. They will be missed.”

Trumps is one of the oldest shops in the country that has always stayed in the same place. The Trumps brand once had nine branches around Devon.

Mr and Mrs Feeney ran the grovery, delicatessen and café for around nine years and their sons were among their employees.

Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce chairman, Steven Kendall-Torry, said: “It’s a real shame for them and the town to lose such a significant institution.”

The Loft owner Katrina Lort added: “I think it very sad that they have obviously had to close. Trumps was not only their business but their home.”

George Fallows worked in Trumps Technology, which occupied a corner of the shop for several months this year, and said: “I saw it boarded up but didn’t know what had happened until Mark said they’d finished up. It was a surprise.”

Mr and Mrs Feeney were unavailable for comment as the Herald went to press yesterday.