A Northumberland town centre has been described as a 'ghost town' as another big name retailer prepares to close.
Home Bargains has confirmed it will be shutting its store in Berwick town centre on Friday ahead of its move to the new Loaning Meadows Retail Park.
But the closure is another blow for the Northumberland town as a number of units remain vacant in the centre, with the likes of Wilkies shutting in recent weeks.
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But Northumberland County Council says there is a "great deal of investment" in the town which includes a new cultural hub and transformation of the Maltings theatre.
Residents Frances Stevenson,63, and Carol Youngman, 40, said it was sad to see so many units vacant on the high street.
Frances said the town centre has changed a lot over the years and parking , being 'a problem', stops people visiting the Berwick's centre.
"It is like a ghost town," she said. "Years ago it used to be packed. Stall days on Wednesday and Saturdays used to be packed. There used to be stalls all the way down. The parking as well. There is nowhere to park. There is only B&M and The Maltings and if you aren't there by 9am you can't get a space."
Carol said: "It used to be so busy. They need to lower the rates and get more businesses moving in here."
Businessowner Sarah Ray, 43, said shops closing was a worry but Berwick has many positives.
Sarah, who opened the Seagulls Nest two years ago, said: "It has been a bit of a worry. Hopefully we will get some new little shops opening. The high street is the main problem and it would be nice not to see so many empty shops.
"I don't want to say it is all doom and gloom though. It is a lovely town with plenty of positives. They can't take away our walls and the camp is opening again in March which will bring visitors to the town. Berwick has so much going for it."
Neil Fairbairn, who owns J C Grieve Limited, said the high street is not like it used to be but made allowances for January and February being a quiet period.
He added: "With fewer shops there is less choice, but I don't know what needs to be done. The new retail park has taken Home Bargains from the high street. I think the problem is everywhere though, it isn't just a problem here. Berwick isn't bad overall, it is the high street that is the main problem."
Home Bargains will close on February 3, with its new outlet at the new retail park, near Morrisons, opening the following day.
KFC, Aldi, Greggs and The Food Warehouse have already opened at the site.
Georgina Hill, Northumberland County Councillor for Berwick East, which is the neighbouring ward to where the Town centre is, said: "This closure is really disappointing. It should be considered, though, in the context of what is happening nationally. More and more shops are closing in town, and indeed, city centres across the country. The days of town centres being mass retail hubs are over. The decline started with the invention and use of motor cars and the internet has been the death knell."
Counc Hill said we need to rethink town centres as a place with a more mixed use.
She added: "The pressing issue with this huge social change and the increasing number of empty units is the devastating effect on the ‘look and feel’ of our town centre places. The Government has provided funding for various schemes but have failed to address the problems caused by the levels set for business rates. Many private owners are sitting on deteriorating buildings and seem to be waiting for the Government to provide more grants.
"I would also like to see the Council’s regeneration company, Advance, focus much more on regenerating town centres as opposed to just paying lip service and their various other activities.”
Cllr Wojciech Ploszaj, Cabinet Member for Business with Northumberland County Council, said shop closures are disappointing but there is a "great deal of investment" going into the town.
He added: "Progress continues on the new multi-million pound Maltings arts venue for Berwick which will deliver a major transformation and expansion of the current venue.
"Also in the town, £4.2million has been secured on behalf of the Berwick Barracks Partnership which will see organisations work together to create a thriving cultural hub at the Barracks and bring empty buildings back into use in a way that supports tourism and the local economy.
"Just outside the centre, Berwick's new leisure centre is celebrating its first birthday, while the council is supporting improved infrastructure at the port. There's also a new Culture and Creative Zone, with a £1.5m allocation from the North of Tyne Combined Authority which will be put towards helping local creative and cultural businesses, organising events and further raising Berwick’s profile as a centre for creative activity in the northeast."
