A community leader has expressed sadness as a much-loved farm shop, garden centre and café in an east Suffolk village closed its doors suddenly.

Goslings Farm Shop, Garden Centre and Café in Trimley St Martin, near Felixstowe, announced its sudden closure on Friday.

Ipswich Star: Employees at Goslings Farm Shop which announced its closure on FridayEmployees at Goslings Farm Shop which announced its closure on Friday (Image: Newsquest)

Reacting to the news of the sudden closure, Lee Reeves, who represents Orwell & Villages on East Suffolk Council, said he was disappointed to see the business shut its doors.

He said: "It is so sad that such a long-running and cherished local business has found it necessary to close.

"Many will miss the shop, café and pick your own facilities which were well used in summer months." 

Ipswich Star: Cllr Lee ReevesCllr Lee Reeves (Image: East Suffolk District Council)

Mr Reeves also voiced concerns over the future of the site and his hopes are that it is not used for the development of new homes.

He added: "No doubt thoughts will turn to potential uses for the site and it would be my hope that this does not simply become yet another building plot for housing.

"Trimley St Martin has seen a huge amount of development already with more in the pipeline."

Ipswich Star: Inside Goslings Farm Shop and CafeInside Goslings Farm Shop and Cafe (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Reeves added: "Hopefully the site can have continued community use perhaps with a continuation of  food production and a small retail element or for leisure use." 

The farm shop was well known in east Suffolk for its café which attracted people from not just within the village of Trimley St Martin but beyond. 

Ipswich Star: The garden centre at Goslings Farm ShopThe garden centre at Goslings Farm Shop (Image: Newsquest)

In a post on social media on Friday, the owners of Goslings said: “It is with great sadness that, as of today (Friday), Goslings Farm has had to close its doors. 

“Thank you to all of our loyal customers over the past few years.”

The business has also been listed as 'permanently closed' on Google.