Lydgate village in Yorkshire is in danger of being wiped off the map after both its local shop and post office closed and even the village sign was altered.

Newsagent Leon Hudson decided to shut last month after more than 19 years in business. Speaking to C-Store on his last day, Leon was positive about the future but adamant that he wouldn’t miss the retailing lifestyle. “To be honest, I’ll be glad to get out of it. Working 80 hours a week for over 19 years is plenty for anyone.”

However, it was the announcement that the post office next door would be closing that led Leon to call it a day. “The post office, particularly on Lottery day, brought valuable extra trade. I would see customers I had never seen before.”

Lydgate ward councillor John McCann said that the closure of both outlets would have a knock-on effect in the community. “The closure of these two businesses will produce a classic domino effect. When one goes, others go.”

In a further blow, Lydgate village sign was recently replaced with one reading ‘Saddleworth’.