AN ABERGAVENNY book shop is to close after 15 years in the town.

Paul Came, owner of the Abergavenny Book Shop, on the High Street, said he has taken the sad decision to not renew the lease on the premises, blaming the rise of internet book sales and competition from supermarkets and national book stores.

Mr Came, 54, who is the sole trader of the Cardiff-based Camelot Books, said the closing down sale has begun but that a closing date has yet to be decided.

He said the popularity of Kindles, tablets and access to books on internet sites such as Amazon are replacing book sales.

He added: “This, together with the combination of rent, staff wages and competition from national bookstores has resulted in the difficult decision not to renew the lease for another five years.”

The independent book seller has been forced to close shops in Blackwood, Newport and Tredegar in the past five years and is preparing to close the Monmouth Bookshop at the end of the month.

He added: “I have an understanding landlord who is working with me, so although the lease has run out we are able to close down and take part in the Abergavenny Food Festival next week.”

“I cannot see that we can commit to another three to five years on a lease.

“I’ve been in the book trade for 33 years so it’s really sad to have to close. I have tried very hard to keep the shops going but can’t see us surviving another five years.”

The shop employs a full-time manager and two part-time staff and opens seven days a week.

Brian Hughes, manager of the independent Abergavenny Bookshop, said: “ I would like to thank our customers for their support over the last 15 years.”