Royston high street loses another shop as Yours closes its doors

ROYSTON High Street is losing yet another shop, with the manager claiming not enough is done for small businesses in the town.

Yours, which sells plus size women's clothing, will close on January 2 after 18 years trading. Four members of staff face the prospect of redundancy, or moving to work in another branch of the store.

Karen Luton, head of stores at the chain, which has 35 shops across the country, broke the news to staff last week.

She said: "Unfortunately not a lot is being done in Royston. We have outlets in a lot of small market towns, and most of them have initiatives to encourage shoppers in.

"Customer numbers have been falling for a number of years and the shop is no longer a viable business proposition for the owner.

"It's no reflection on the staff, who are all excellent, and we're very sad to be losing a shop which has been open in various guises for more than 18 years."

Ms Luton said that she believed free parking was needed to get people shopping in Royston high street.

"Places like Retford and Melton Mowbray, which are similar to Royston in terms of size, offer free parking, but there's nothing like that here," she said.

Stephen Larcombe, chairman of the Royston and district Chamber of Commerce, said he was sad to see the town losing another shop, but insisted Royston is "heading in the right direction."

He said: "We understand profit margins are small for some businesses, and they have to take commercial decisions accordingly.

"But there is plenty going on in Royston and I think it is a reflection on the individual business rather than the local situation."

Mr Larcombe cited the opening of Morrisons as an example of big businesses investing in Royston.

He said: "Morrisons wouldn't have come here if they didn't think Royston was heading in the right direction.

"Royston First is doing a lot of good work and we are beginning to see the fruits of that already," he added.