A COFFEE shop which has traded for more than 30 years has shut its doors for good.

Mike and Debbie Stephenson, who own The Last Resort Coffee Shop in Barrow, confirmed that Friday was their last day after 32 years of business.

They said: “It hasn’t been an easy decision but after 32 years in business and selling well over a million cups of Coffee to the good people of Barrow and beyond we feel the time is right for a change of direction and onto the next chapter in our lives.

“We are forever grateful to the many loyal customers who have supported us over the decades, many of whom we are lucky enough to consider friends.

“We’ve always believed that coffee, customers and community should be the key ingredients at the heart of a successful cafe and in that respect, we’ve been incredibly lucky.”

New owners are set to take over the building, which will no longer be used as a cafe.

They said: “We’re proud that we created something more than just a cafe and would’ve loved to see the Coffee Shop continue as an integral part of the town centre for many years to come but with no one coming forward to take on the business the building has been sold and will now continue under a new guise.

“We wish the new owners every success in their venture and would like to thank everyone that has supported us and enjoyed the Coffee shop over the years; your loyal custom hasn’t gone unnoticed, and we wish you all well on the next chapter in your life too.”

The pair thanked their suppliers from over the years and are encouraging people to continue to support them.

They said: “A big thank you to all the local people and companies who’ve supplied us over the years. Pennington’s Tea & Coffee, Thomas's Bakery, Mommas foods, Barrow BID, Laings fruit & Veg, The Handmade Ice Cream Company, Woodbine Dairies, Booker Wholesale and JMP Foodservice.

“Barrow and South Cumbria has many great local independent businesses and nationals plus of course our local market.

“Please try to support them now more than ever.”