A CIRENCESTER business is set to close its doors after 16 and a half years trading in the town.

Alternative shop Willow, which is located on Cricklade Street is set to close due to poor trade and because owner Lizzi Ussher and her family are moving to Stroud.

Mrs Ussher is citing the reasons for the lack of trade as the location of the shop and the parking restrictions and charges imposed by the district council in Cirencester over the past few years.

She said: “I do blame my location on Cricklade Street as well, however, I do feel the parking is a massive contributor to the decline in footfall.

“Car parking is the final nail in the coffin.

“I am not going to be silly and say our position has nothing to do with it, however, everybody is fed up to the back teeth with car parking.

“I cannot count the number of people that say I have to go because my ticket is running out, it happens all the time.

“Five years ago there was a lot more people shopping in the town.

“I go to Stroud now to park because it is really cheap to park there.”

Stock at the store is being sold off and once everything is gone the store will close for good.

Lizzi said: “We will be closing when we have sold all the stock, which I imagine will be by the end of August.”

She also explained that many other businesses in Cricklade Street have closed down due to poor trade in recent years, as a result of the parking issues.

Lizzi added that she may open another store in Stroud.

However, her immediate plans are to set up stalls at festivals, including the Phoenix Festival in Cirencester, and campaigning towards disability rights.

Willow stocks global gifts, handmade wrapping paper, scented candles, self-help books and clothing.

The Willow store opened a year and a half ago and a previous Willow store traded on Castle Street between 1991 and 2007.

Nobody from CDC was available to comment on parking in Cirencester.