Major clothing brands Burton and Evans close at The Shires shopping centre in Trowbridge tomorrow, after both decided against renewing their leases.

The stores have held sales to clear as much stock as possible before they shut their doors for good, after their 25-year leases end.

President of Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce Colin Kay said “We regret losing any retailer in Trowbridge and I don’t know whether this is part of a national decision, but stores on the high street are struggling.

“It’s a huge shame, but it depends on how quickly The Shires can re-let it and find another outlet to fill the gap. Any reduction in shops available in Trowbridge has to be bad news as we want to develop Trowbridge as a place people want to come to shop.

“You need to have both national stores as well as independents.

“With online shopping, habits are changing and we could see more shops go.

“We are available to offer advice to shops if they need it and hopefully the units will be filled soon.”

A spokesman for Burton and Evans, both part of Arcadia Group, said: “Leases continually expire or come up for renewal.

“When leases expire that we do not renew, we endeavour to redeploy staff affected to another store as much as we can.”

The Shires’ centre manager Sarah-Louise Moore said: “It’s always disappointing to lose any retailers and high profile national retailers are an asset to any shopping centre and an attractive proposition to would-be shoppers.

“The people of Trowbridge can rest assured every effort has been made to retain the Burton and Evans stores as they have been valuable long-term tenants and we appreciate their loyalty, but they have both come to the end of their leases and have decided not to renew.

“Dorothy Perkins is part of the same group and that store closed in Trowbridge a couple of years ago, and a similar situation seems to have arisen here.

“Our letting agents are well aware of the situation and are actively marketing the unit.

“Every effort will be made to attract other quality retailers.”