ANOTHER hole is set to appear on Royston High Street as a shoe shop prepares to shut after 21 years in the town.
The writing is on the wall for Stead & Simpson after closing down sale signs appeared in the windows of the store.
It is not clear at present when the branch will close.
The 200 Stead & Simpson stores nationally were brought by the Shoe Zone Group in 2008. The company refused to comment when asked by the Crow about the closure.
Rupert Simpson, chairman of the Royston and District Chamber of Commerce, said: “It is bad news, there is nothing that can be done about it. It’s part of the wider economic circumstances and the wider economic environment.
“All we can do is hope that this vacancy is filled as soon as possible..
“It’s obviously sad to see a brand leave the High Street but I don’t think it is a reflection on Royston, it is the exact situation of Woolworths. It is the overall business that is down, nothing else.”
The demise of Stead & Simpson follows Peacocks, Game and Clinton Cards earlier this year.
Royston’s Peacock store is still empty after it closed in February putting 13 people out of work.
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