First opened as a bakery in 1896, the building is an iconic part of the town’s history and heritage and has been operated as a newsagents for decades – it is also thought to be the longest standing shop, not including pubs and hotels, on the high street.
However, the business and premises at 92 High Street have been on the market for several years with a guide price of around £100,000.
It has also gone under the hammer and failed to sell.
And now, owner Shabaz Ali, who has manned the till since 2011, has decided to close the store without finding a buyer.
He had hoped to sell or rent the it, keeping the iconic Annandale Herald newsagents open, but alas there have been no takers.
Yesterday, he said: “It’s been a pleasure serving Lockerbie over the last eight years, and I will be sad to leave it behind.
“I want to thank my staff and my customers for their business and friendships that have been made and wish everyone the very best for the future.”
Mr Ali is moving away from the area to be closer to his young son and wife.
The shop’s imminent closure is a blow to the town and surrounding communities.
It comes on the back of most newspaper sales being withdrawn from neighbouring Lochmaben, as shops close or cancel contracts with newspaper suppliers.
However, Karen Wilson of Wilsons’ Newsagents in Lockerbie has offered reassurances that they will be stocking extra copies of the Annandale Herald.
She said: “We already increased our newspaper stock following changes in Lochmaben distribution and we will make sure there are no struggles getting a copy of the Annandale Herald, we’re just two doors down and happy to help.”
Meanwhile she is also encouraging anyone who gets their newspaper delivered to get in touch.
The Annandale Herald can also be picked up at Tesco, Spar, Applegreen Garage and in towns and villages across the region.
