IT’S a sign of the times, but a sad one nonetheless, to learn that Londons news and toys will close next month. For 100 years it has been a singular part of Heworth’s shopping scene. It’s where parents take their children to choose their first toy, in just the same way their own parents did.

Keeping the generational theme going, the current owner is Ian Simpson, who started his working life there as a 13-year-old paper boy. Ian tells us how emotional it has been to put up the closure signs and he says some customers have been in tears.

We can understand why and it will be a great shame to see this fine institution go. Progress isn’t always for the best.