A popular Crewe shop is set to close down after 40 years in business - following a decision made by the owners to retire.

South Street News has been run by Mr Gregory Hulme and his wife, Mrs Debbie Hulme, since 1983.

The South Street shop, located opposite Crewe Alex, is closing its doors at the end of February.

South Street News closing its doors at the end of February - due to retirement (Ryan Parker).

"We're retiring. I am 66 and my wife (Debbie) is 67. We can't keep going as we are," said Mr Hulme.

South Street News has been popular with local residents and Crewe Alexandra players and staff since it opened 40 years ago.

Former Crewe Alex manager, Dario Gradi, often used the shop to buy the local papers.

The newsagents was opened just weeks before Gradi became Alex manager.

Mr Hulme told Nub News: "This shop had all of the players and staff in here but they moved to Reaseheath.

"Dario Gradi was a regular customer here. He used to come in, have a chat with me and buy papers.

South Street News has been popular with local residents and Crewe Alex players and staff since it opened 40 years ago (Ryan Parker).

"This shop opened just a few weeks before Dario became Crewe manager.

"I've seen a lot of changes at Crewe Alex and the town since opening here."

Mr Hulme is sad to let South Street News go, but he believes now is the right time.

The 66-year-old said: "I am disappointed to leave this business but no one can carry on forever."

"We sold this business last year (2022) and should have left but there was a problem with land registry.

Former Crewe Alexandra manager, Dario Gradi, often used the shop to purchase local newspapers (Ryan Parker).

"Our solicitors told me this month (January), it would between six and nine months before the documents come back.

"That is too long for us to wait to sell the business. We will be closing at the end of February.

"The good thing about closing now is that this is my choice. I am not being forced out."

South Street News is still popular for morning newspaper deliveries in the area - currently delivered by Mr and Mrs Hulme.

Earlier this month (January), a new shop, AA Food & Wines applied to open nearby on Gresty Road.

South Street News is still popular for morning newspaper deliveries in the area - currently delivered by Gregory Hulme and Debbie Hulme (Ryan Parker).

The shop will replace former horticultural store, Grass & Ground, which closed in 2021 - opposite The Mornflake Stadium.

Mr Hulme said: "There is a new shop opening in the former Grass & Ground, but that's not why I am closing.

"I am quite happy about the new shop, its actually quite a relief to me. It means the people around here will have somewhere to go to."

"I will probably write a book at some point about our time here running this shop.

Mr Hulme is sad to let South Street News go, but he believes now is the right time (Ryan Parker).

"Out of everything, we will miss the lovely people that come in to our shop the most."

Mr and Mrs Hulme will permanently close South Street News at the end of February.

READ MORE: Future Slovakian football star signs new long-term contact with Crewe Alex.

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Crewe Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our town.

Subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter email HERE - just click the 'SIGN UP' button.

Please consider following Crewe Nub News on Facebook or Twitter.