The decision to shut the shop was made yesterday (Wednesday) and the main reason was to keep the volunteers, who man the bookshop, safe.

Bookshop coordinator, Jann Wayland, said the volunteers just did not think it was safe for them to continue.

Mrs Wayland says as many of the volunteers are in their 70s and 80s it's understandable that they put their own health first.

The bookshop coordinator said the fear was that COVID-19 could easily be passed on to the volunteers.

Hopefully, the bookshop will reopen in the future.

"We (the volunteers) are happy to go back when we are given the all-clear," she said.

The bookshop, located at the rear of Bellbrook Arcade, Ulladulla, plays an important role in the community.

Not only did it provide people with quality books to read but it also raised funds which were invested into the community.

Funds from the bookshop helped open the Jindelara Disability Respite House, which provides a quality short- term residential facility for young people with disabilities.

Funds were currently being raised for another community project.

We have removed our paywall from our stories about the coronavirus. This is a rapidly changing situation and we want to make sure our readers are as informed as possible. If you would like to support our journalists you can subscribe here.