The man behind one of Westminster's most improbable hits - the Politico's bookshop in London's political village - is this week packing his bags.

Seven years after Iain Dale founded Politico's, amid widespread scepticism that such a niche brand could succeed, he has a healthy seven-figure turnover, clients who include everyone who is anyone (except Tony Blair), a publishing arm and a thriving internet book business.

But he is moving the lot to his barn in Kent to trade entirely on the internet.

Last Friday staff closed the shop's doors and started packing up the stock to take to Kent. "It's all about overheads," Mr Dale said.

Politico's, which has well-attended book launch parties, has attracted custom from prominent MPs. "John Prescott comes in, but never Tony Blair," he said.

By his own account, Mr Dale is a victim of his own success. His lease has ended and he faces "a huge rent rise". But he has also been hit by rising national insurance contributions and, he insists, by the impact of London's £5-a-day congestion charge.

It is hardly surprising that Mr Dale takes a swipe at London's mayor, Ken Livingstone.

Though all the main political parties link to Politico's website, he is a Conservative, the adopted candidate in North Norfolk where the Lib Dem MP, Norman Lamb, has a slender 483 majority.