A distraught customer described the "catastrophe" of finding his favoured mini-supermarket closed for refurbishment.

Tesco Express, in Swain's Lane, Dartmouth Park, closed at 5pm on Friday.

A notice on the door said the store would be closed until 11am on Friday, August 16.

It directs customers to the Tesco Express store in Highgate High Street, at the top of Swain's Lane.

The notice on the door of Tesco Express in Swain's LaneThe notice on the door of Tesco Express in Swain's Lane (Image: Nathalie Raffray)

Tesco said it is refitting the store to make customers' shopping experience "even better".

But some have simply turned back after reading the notice.

Sean Porter, a lifeguard at the Men's Pond on Hampstead Heath, said it was "catastrophic".

"I really wanted my milk, my chocolate bourbons and my can of Fanta Fruit Twist," said the 21-year-old.

"I'm going to have to trek even further now. It's an end of the world moment. I'll go back and break the bad news."

Tesco Express on Swain's Lane is at the end of a parade of shops, including a butcher, fishmonger, grocer, bakery, and cafesTesco Express on Swain's Lane is at the end of a parade of shops, including a butcher, fishmonger, grocer, bakery, and cafes (Image: Nathalie Raffray)

Mark Krymer, 88, had walked up to buy some milk. He was more phlegmatic, and said he would go to Sainsbury's Local in Gordon House Road instead.

He said: "I suppose they need holidays like anyone else, it's just one of the inconveniences of modern life."

The store closed for three days for a shutter upgrade in August last year.

There are other shops on Swain's Lane where people can get groceries including Fam Grocery, Meat N6, Shell & Co and for more deli-style purchases, Superette.

A Tesco spokesperson said: “Our Dartmouth Park Express is temporarily closed while we refit the store to make our customers’ shopping experience even better. 

“We will be reopening the store on August 16, and in the meantime customers can use our nearby Highgate Express.”