A surge in community support following the news that much-loved Framlingham shop, Bulstrodes, was to close has led to its owners vowing to serve another Christmas in the town.

Bill Bulstrode said he was going to close his Bridge Street shop due to struggling to compete with the internet.

However, the news prompted an increase in footfall and sales in the store and as a result Mr Bulstrode has just placed his order for Christmas stock.

“At the moment everything is in limbo, we are going to stay open until at least spring 2016,” he said.

“I can’t shut the doors just before Christmas. We have got to keep going.

“If people continue to use me, who knows what might happen.

“I have had people come in the shop and say ‘Bill, you can’t close, we need you’.

“The compliments Karen and I have been given are fabulous. I love the business I run.

“I like to be busy and we did go through a quiet spell. If I can keep the people coming in I will stay.”