Another Newbury shop is closing. Speenhamland Stores in the Broadway will shut this week just five months after the owner took compensation from Royal Mail to close the sub Post Office.

The store blamed intensifying competition from Waitrose, and the loss of 300 Vodafone staff now working at the Shaw Headquarters.

Since Newbury.net revealed that Bar Cuba closed nearby last year, another 18 shops have closed in the town.

Crime update

A French bulldog worth £1,000 was stolen from Donnington on Sunday evening. The black dog with white chest was taken from Shawdene between 7.30-9pm.

Meanwhile, thieves smashed the window of a Ford Fiesta in St Michael’s Road and stole a £150 car stereo overnight on Saturday.

Square in the square

The Square Bar and Grill is to open a second outlet in town, this time in the Market Place. The contemporary restaurant in Weavers Walk has been a success since opening in the former Last Chance Saloon two years ago, but has taken over the Sustenance venue to capture the theatre crowds. The people behind Sustenance will continue to run the upstairs Late Lounge nightclub.