A popular Leek hardware store has announced that it is no longer closing after all, at least for now.

Leek Nub News reported back in July how Gee's Ironmongers, which is based on Haywood Street in Leek, announced that they would be closing for good in August this year.

Customers and local residents were saddened to hear of the closure of the store, which sells all kinds of hardware including kitchen utensils, electrical goods, gardening equipment, and car parts.

However, August came and the store remained open, as it does to this day. Nub News contacted Gees to ask if they had changed their mind and decided to remain open.

Valerie Gee, who runs the store, explained that Gee's has been put up for sale, and the decision to close was made after a potential buyer backed out of a deal.

However, they decided to remain open after another buyer emerged, and although they have also backed out, the decision to remain open for now has continued.

Valerie told Nub News about her plans to sell the business, saying: "I'm only asking for the value of the stock really. I'm just plodding on at the moment but I can't keep running it on my own forever - I'm meant to be retired really.

"If there's anyone out there who would like to take on a good business that would be lovely, but we are staying open until we find someone, until Christmas at the very least anyway, because customers were bereft when they heard it was closing.

"People say that they need this business, and it would be a wonderful job for anybody who took it on, it has so much potential."