THE Countrywide Farmers branch in Melksham closed its doors to customers for the last time at 4pm on Sunday.

Branch manager Ian Nisbeck, 48, says the closure will leave a huge hole in the life of the local farming and equestrian community.

“There has been an absolute outpouring of sympathy from the local farming community since the store went into joint administration on March 7.

“The Melksham public are really disappointed that we’re not going to be here. The closure is going to leave a huge gulf in the town.”

Mr Nisbeck says the past two months since Countrywide Farmers plc collapsed into administration has been very stressful for the staff.

“We now have a dozen staff left. Luckily, most of the staff have found jobs.”

Even the branch cat, Pip, who once gave birth to kittens in the warehouse, has been rehomed after three years at the store. She has gone to a local farm.