Recession forces Britain's oldest off license to shut down

The recession has forced Britain's oldest off license to shut down - after almost 400 YEARS .

Baker's in Bishop's Waltham, near Southampton, Hants, has been serving booze since 1617 but shut up shop for the last time yesterday (Saturday) because the owners could no longer afford the rent.

Bosses also feared a new Sainsbury's store planned for the tiny town would steal all their business.

The business, whose five-year lease ends at the ends at the end of March, was owned by two families for 244 years.

Managing director Colin Baker felt he could not commit to a new lease "with Sainsbury's looming".

He also said there was a lack of customers in the village and "the overheads are just too high".

He added: "We had to look at the potential to break even and it just wasn't there", he added.

Manager Oliver Bartley said: "The main problem has been the downturn. Because people are earning less money they want to spend less on wine.

"They go to the supermarket and spend just £3 pounds or £4 pounds on a bottle of wine, and we can't compete with those prices.

"The landlord won't drop the rent so we had no hope of surviving.

"A new Sainsbury's store could be coming in as well and that would be death of this store.

"It is such a shame. It is a lovely area and a great shop with fantastic history. I have never worked anywhere like this and I probably won't again.

"I have had to let five members of staff go who all love working here - it is very sad. I just hope someone comes in who can afford the rent and carry it on."

Baker's sold alcohol from around the world as well as wine produced at nearby Titchfield Vinyard in Fareham.

Employee Stephanie O'Donnell, 22, said: "I have really enjoyed working there and am devastated we have had to shut.

"It is the end of an era."