A SHOP and petrol station are closing amid claims that problem customers have driven its manager out.

Roy Duerden is to walk away from his franchise at the BP garage in Gale Lane, Foxwood, next month.

Mr Duerden told the Evening Press he did not want to continue because "of the problem of shoplifting" and "hassle from customers".

Now BP has decided not to renew its franchise on the garage, which is also home to a local convenience store. It will close on March 19 with the loss of about seven jobs.

Mr Duerden said: "I have had the franchise for six years and there have been numerous problems.

"I have been unable to get staff and there have been problems with shoplifting, which was getting out of hand.

"I can't speculate on amounts but it was significant.

"It is a shame but it seems the way society is going in general. I am really sad the garage is going to close.

"When I decided (to leave) I thought BP would get someone else to run it."

Local user Graham Cambridge, of Wenham Road, said: "Everyone is really sad the garage is going to close.

"It is a 24-hour garage and was really handy. I think people will miss it as a local facility."

Ward councillor Steve Galloway today speculated whether the land would be sold for housing.

"I had heard a rumour about this and have asked for confirmation from the planning department about a possible change of use.

"The closure of local facilities of any sort is disappointing and in the case of jobs, doubly so.

"I wouldn't be surprised if there was an application for housing on the site. I believe the closure is driven by profit than any perceived problems with customers."

Coun Ann Reid, Liberal Democrat Transport spokeswoman, said: "I am surprised by this decision.

"This will have a detrimental effect on the community. It is used by a lot of local people."

A BP spokesman said: "BP has a retail network of about 1500 sites in the UK. All of our sites undergo constant evaluation and sometimes that leads to closure when a site is not economically viable."

Updated: 08:35 Friday, February 22, 2002