MYSTERY surrounds the sudden closure of one of a market town's main shops which has been left with food still on display.

David Green

MYSTERY surrounds the sudden closure of one of a market town's main shops which has been left with food still on display.

Locals say the long established Carley and Webb shop in Framlingham, which includes a delicatessen and a meat counter, has now been closed for more than three weeks.

However, there is no notice on the premises to explain what has happened and there is some local concern about the condition of the food which remains.

One local resident, who asked not to be named, said: “The environmental health people apparently came but couldn't gain access.”

A note on the door asks customers of Maple Farm, Kelsale - which operates a home delivery vegetable “box scheme” - to contact its own offices. Carley and Webb was agent for the scheme and also sold some of the firm's vegetables directly to the public.

A spokeswoman for Maple Farm, said: “We are not clear what has happened.” She said the firm had arranged for Garnetts Gardens of Hacheston to act as its agent in the Framlingham area, at least for the short term until the situation with Carley and Webb became clearer.

Stephanie Bennell, Framlingham Town Council chairman, said the situation was “very strange”. It is all vagueness, confusion and mystery,” she said.

“The shop looks a bit like the Marie Celeste - there is no sign of life but food is still on display. It is just sitting there in the run-up to Christmas and it gives a strange atmosphere to that part of the shopping area.

“There must be a risk that stuff will start to go mouldy and it would be better if the food was moved out,” she added.

A Suffolk Coastal District Council spokesman said: "Suffolk Coastal's environmental protection team is aware of the situation at Carley and Webb in Framlingham.

“An officer visited the shop on Friday, November 28 to assess the situation and a decision is being made on what course of action to take."

No-one could be contacted yesterday to comment on behalf of the business. The owners of the building are thought to live in the London area.