A stationery shop that’s been part of Headington’s landscape for nearly three decades has closed permanently.

Pen to paper on London Road has until Monday before it must vacate its current premises, after being unsuccessful at finding a new home.

Deborah Smart who has been managing the shop for 20 years, taking over from her mum, said: “It’s been really hard seeing the reaction of the customers to us going. There’s just nothing else like our shop in Headington really.

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“A lot of the schools use us in the area and a lot of the parents bringing their children in now used to come here with their parents when they were little.

“We’re like a nice little family unit at the shop so its going to be sad to lose that.”

Oxford Mail: Deborah, April, Chloe and Stacie hold a balloon given to Pen to Paper by a customer who was sad to see them go.Deborah, April, Chloe and Stacie hold a balloon given to Pen to Paper by a customer who was sad to see them go.

The 47-year-old has two daughters of her own, who have both worked in the shop for around ten years, and she has two grandchildren aged one and two.

One of her daughters April, age 26, who has a 14 month old baby said: "It's really sad for Headington, and a lot of our customers are disappointed.

"I've gotten an 8 hour shift at the store in Summertown but it is just a bit tricky in terms of childcare."

Oxford Mail: April Smart, age 26, packs up the left over products from Pen to Paper as it prepares to close down.April Smart, age 26, packs up the left over products from Pen to Paper as it prepares to close down.

A customer who has been to the shop since he moved to Headington in 2016 shared it was a ‘real blow’ that the shop was closing, especially as he relies on it for specific stationery for his dyslexia.

John Robinson, a 71-year-old who works for an Oxfordshire housing charity said: “They really went above and beyond and were able to order specific things in. In this day and age small independent shops are really valuable and hard to come by.

“To lose such a special shop that has been there for many years is a real blow. Most shops when they go, it’s almost like having dementia, you can’t remember what was there. But we will all remember this shop. It’s like missing a tooth, you’re always going to be aware of the gap.”

Oxford Mail: Pen to Paper closes down.Pen to Paper closes down.

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Other members of the public took to Facebook to share their disappointment.

Julie Lowing said: “Oh no! What a shame. I had a great time working there with such lovely colleagues.”

Veronica Goulding said: “Such a shame we bought our stamps/stationery from there the girls were so lovely even spoke outside of the their work.”

Oxford Mail: Stacie prepares for Pen to Paper closing down. Stacie prepares for Pen to Paper closing down.

Christopher Able said: “Very sad to see this go, it was a real part of Headington, lovely people that ran this.”

Matthew Challen said: “This used to be a day out! Loved this place”

Pen to Paper’s deadline to hand over the key to the landlord is May 16 when their lease terminates.

Oxford Mail: Store Manager Deborah Smart with Pen to Paper Managing Partner Andy Morse.Store Manager Deborah Smart with Pen to Paper Managing Partner Andy Morse.

The Oxford Orthodontic Centre upstairs is expected to take over the building after them.

There is still a Pen to Paper in Summertown, Managing Partner Andy Morse, 61, saying: "It's so sad to be closing at a time when Headington is just getting busy again after the pandemic, it's just extremely difficult. 

"At the moment we have no plans to open another Pen to Paper but maybe in a couple of years."

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