A new owner has taken over a popular newsagents that has served its community for more than 35 years.

Village Rise Newsagents has been at the heart of the community in north Lowestoft since 1985, as it has been run by the O'Dwyer family throughout this time.

Eastern Daily Press: The new owner of Rawmores Retail Limited Craig Morris, with the former owner of Village Rise Newsagents, Wendy O'Dwyer, at the popular store. Picture: The O'Dwyer familyThe new owner of Rawmores Retail Limited Craig Morris, with the former owner of Village Rise Newsagents, Wendy O'Dwyer, at the popular store. Picture: The O'Dwyer family (Image: The O'Dwyer family)

But from Monday this week the popular store was trading as Rawmores Retail Limited under the ownership of Craig Morris.

Eastern Daily Press: Rawmores Retail Limited owner Craig Morris. Picture: Mick HowesRawmores Retail Limited owner Craig Morris. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

It marks the end of a family dynasty that has seen generations working in the store, based on Weston Road, Lowestoft.

For Wendy O'Dwyer, a real "community spirit" has been evident over the years.

Eastern Daily Press: Wendy O'Dwyer at the Village Rise Newsagents in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick HowesWendy O'Dwyer at the Village Rise Newsagents in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Mrs O'Dwyer said: "After 35 years of trading I have sold the business and want to thank all my customers for their support and loyalty throughout the years.

"I joined my soon to be in-laws - Derrick and Edna O'Dwyer - as a young 16-year-old, almost three years after they opened the newsagents with their son Mike."

With Edna passing away in 1991, six years later Mike's dad Derrick took full retirement and enjoyed his time away from working.

Mrs O'Dwyer said: "Mike and myself ran the shop together while raising our children.

"Sadly Derrick passed away in April 2011 aged 86, and in 2014 Mike was diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Eastern Daily Press: Wendy O'Dwyer at the Village Rise Newsagents in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick HowesWendy O'Dwyer at the Village Rise Newsagents in Lowestoft. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

"He battled on for almost two years but passed away on March 22, 2016, leaving four wonderful children behind and a business which has so many memories for all of us."

Having been inundated with good luck messages, Mrs O'Dwyer is looking forward to the future - and some rest after seven days a week of early mornings over many years.

She said: "It is the end of an era, but after trading all these years I would like to thank everyone for their loyalty and friendship throughout the years.

"We still have a few original customers, who have been with us from the very start - people love coming up here and there is a real community spirit."

Eastern Daily Press: Rawmores Retail Limited owner Craig Morris. Picture: Mick HowesRawmores Retail Limited owner Craig Morris. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

The store currently delivers papers to more than 300 customers.

Hailing from Needham Market, for the past four years Mr Morris had ran the Home Bargains Lowestoft site on the North Quay Retail Park.

Eastern Daily Press: Rawmores Retail Limited owner Craig Morris. Picture: Mick HowesRawmores Retail Limited owner Craig Morris. Picture: Mick Howes (Image: Mick Howes)

Mr Morris, 32, said: "It is a really nice area around here and a massive community feel.

"I am hoping to extend the numbers of deliveries we make and potentially look to deliver groceries as well in the future."