Shopkeeper, 89, who beat off robber with her walking stick forced to close

To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video An elderly shopkeeper who captured the nation’s heart when she fought off a robber with her walking stick has announced her retirement. June Turner, 89, became a national talking point in September 2019 when robber Aaron Mountford raided her shop demanding cash at 6.30am. She has run AJ and J Newsagents in Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent, since 1975 but says a combination of Covid and the demolition of nearby houses has impacted trade. June said: ‘I will miss it, despite my daily 4am alarm call but we’ve got to go some time, haven’t we? It’s been marvellous.’ She runs the shop with her 69-year-old son, Alan, who started work as a paperboy at the age of 13, but they will close for the final