A HIGH street business owner has thanked his customers for their support as his shop is closing down.

Edward Massey fulfilled his dreams of starting his own business after unveiling Yessam Limited in Maldon High Street at the end of last year.

A few years ago the 33-year-old was diagnosed with a chronic disease which boosted his desire to become an entrepreneur while his health remains stable.

He combined these goals with his passion for climate action and opened the sustainable convenience shop and bakery.

Edward said: "We would like to thank our customers, especially those regulars that we have been their first port of call over the past six months.

"We have valued their custom as well as their help and guidance in what they would like us to stock and to have to hand when they pop in.

Read more >>> Sustainable shop and bakery in Maldon high street officially opened

"We are pleased we'd started to gain a positive reputation locally for our breads, which if you recall I only started to learn to bake in December.

"I nailed the hot cross buns making during holy week and in recent weeks we had mastered how to make soft roll."

Edward had called himself the Necessity Baker when the shop first opened due to his limited baking skills.

His shop is hosting a liquidation sale as it closes at the weekend.

"We were hoping sales would increase further as we came out of the winter months but our sales have not grown to a sustainable level for us to stay," Edward explained.

"We had tried securing a cash injection without success for current cashflow requirements, and to grow the business by finishing fitting out the shop and increasing our products lines.

"The future is that there is a financial setback with directors guarantees to repay and without funding I must be responsible and minimise losses for our creditors.

"From this experience of opening up the shop and bakery, I think we can call me a baker now and perhaps in time to come I could return to entrepreneurism."

The shop will stay open until the end of its daily alcohol licensing hours today (April 30) at 10pm.