The credit crunch is making its mark on Ludlow’s high street with some stores closing either completely or partially.
Blockbuster on Broad St will cease trading from October 26, duty manager Sarah Till confirmed this week. Threshers on King Street also closed last month.
Over on Corve Street, Simply Gifted, which has slashed all prices by 20% and reduced many items by 50% is now only open two days a week on Friday and Saturday.
Meanwhile on Tower Street, the former Shapla restaurant, which was in the process of being refurbished, has notices up saying the store has been secured by the owner.
Bailiffs have carried out an inventory and no one can enter the property without permission from the owner’s solicitors.
There is speculation that the business has gone into receivership.
Attempts to contact Shapla to confirm or deny this were unsuccessful.
However, it may not be all doom and gloom.
The former Feathers Gallery has been taken on by Red Apparel Ltd, who also have an outlet in Welshpool.
The interior of the store has been re-decorated and they are advertising for new staff.
Peter Cook, President of Ludlow Chamber of Trade, told the Journal: “Part of it is due to the natural cycle you get of shops closing and opening but obviously there are topical economic conditions.”
Mr Cook said he didn’t know about the circumstances of individual closures but he added: “It seems to be case that within a few months most of these empty shops are getting picked up again.
“This is good news for Ludlow, they wouldn’t be doing it if trading conditions weren’t holding up.
“It is sad when shops close and people lose their jobs, but we can only hope that somebody else moves in and takes it over.”
