THE OWNERS of Ringwood’s last surviving stationery shop has said the market town still has “a lot going for it” after WHSmith’s closure. 

Sarah Carreck purchased Paper Mountain from its owner in November when she decided to retire after 17 years in the business. 

Sarah, who has businesses including Paper Meadows and Fordingbridge Print in a number of towns, said: “From my experience of looking at the towns around me, Ringwood has got a lot going for it. 

“There are a lot of independent shops here. You've got a fabric shop, the kitchen shop, a health shop and there's a candle shop. 

Bournemouth Echo: (L-R) Stu, Andrew, Sarah, Lorraine, Nikki, Nicola and Billy.(L-R) Stu, Andrew, Sarah, Lorraine, Nikki, Nicola and Billy. (Image: Paper Mountain)

Read more: WHSmith announces it has closed its only Ringwood store

“It's actually got a nice selection of independents, which a lot of towns of its size have lost.” 

She added WHSmith’s closure is a “loss” to Ringwood but pointed out they are a national business that can’t offer what her independent shop can. 

“The great thing about being an independent is if someone comes and says I need a specific product that we haven't got it, we can say to the customer ‘we can order that in for you’. 

“We can give that personal service which you may not necessarily be able to get with a national retailer.” 

Read more: 'Tradition' pub The Elm Tree in Ringwood has new owners

WHSmith recently announced it was to leave Ringwood for good after more than 40 years trading in High Street. 

Anecdotally, it was known as the smallest WHSmith branch in the UK. 

A spokesperson for WHSmith said the company was “disappointed” to lose its presence in Ringwood and it would be moving out as they were unable to trade viably in the town. 

Read more: Ringwood Carnival returns with a bang after two years away

Sarah added: “Face to face business is great. As a company we always very much enjoy being face to face with the customers just as much as we enjoy going out to talk to them. 

“We are a team of nine and we are juggling everything, looking after the shop. 

“We're basically carrying on the good work of the previous owner. She was obviously well-known in Ringwood and well-liked and hopefully in time people will come to know us and we want to let them know that the shop is still open.”