A POPULAR market stall is set to pull down its shutters for the final time next month.

Don’s Pantry, which has traded out of the Kirkgate Market in Bradford city centre for the past 40 years, is set to close down in March.

Its current owner, Margaret Jenner has run the butchers shop for 28 years, but due to factors including a continual decline in trade, the shop will close for the final time on Saturday, March 3.

Mrs Jenner, 54, has worked at the shop since she was a schoolgirl, said saying goodbye to her long-time customers has been the hardest thing about closing.

She said: “When I told the first customers I just burst into tears.

“It is going to be a wrench when the day to close comes.

“Telling the regulars has been heartbreaking, and it has been nice hearing all the nice things people have said.

“It feels right to be closing though, I have been here since I was 14 working Saturdays with my dad in the old Kirkgate Market.

“That seems a million years ago now, it has been my entire life but I know there is something else out there. It would be nice to do something other than food.”

Mrs Jenner added that there are various reasons why she has closed.

“It is a combination of various things really.

“Since the Post Office and Marks & Spencer moved, the elderly customers cannot always make it back up here.

“Footfall has dropped, and I can’t afford to take anyone else on or replace the machinery if it breaks.

“I’ve always worked at least 60 hours a week too, and I’m not 25 anymore so can’t carry on doing that.

“It’s taken a long time to come to this decision but it feels right.”

Matthew Crowther, a loyal Don’s Pantry customer, said: “How I will miss the friendly service, chats and quality bacons, sausage, pies and cooked meats.

“Businesses like this can never be replaced.

“In a world where supermarkets, shopping malls and retail parks plus online shopping seem to dominate, it is sad that the smaller independents are increasingly being squeezed out.

“As a regular at Don’s Pantry, plus a supporter of independent businesses where I possibly can, it is all very sad news.”

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, executive member for regeneration, said: “We wish Maggie and everyone at Don’s Pantry all the best for the future.

“They’ve been a much-loved trader in Kirkgate Market for many years and they will be missed.

“There’s still a great offer at the market and I’m sure new traders will take up the space soon.

“We’ve put in place a number of measures to support business at the top of town, our Growth Zone funding – recently named best in the country by Barclays Bank – is still available to provide business rate rebates and we were pleased to announce the Market Shuttle service with TLC last year to provide a special 50p bus service between the Interchange and the Oastler and Kirkgate Markets.

“Over time there will always be businesses closing and other ones opening, last year we had the Craft Market on upper Darley Street open and our traders in Oastler Market have taken up external units on Northgate.

“In the longer term our proposals for a new food-based market on Darley Street will help revitalise that part of town and we’ve also got the £17m redevelopment of Forster Square station, which will include improved links to the top of town through lifts that will be more pleasant, safer and open for longer.”