SHOPPERS have stripped the shelves of a store in a Wiltshire shopping centre after it announced a half price sale and looks set to close.

Shaws in Trowbridge is to close after the long-term future of the popular drapers store was put in doubt with jobs at risk.

Henrich Hardware, based in Devizes, is also planning to close its Mainlys MICA store in the Castle Place shopping centre.

The Wiltshire Times understands that 29 branches of Shaws the drapers store group are at risk of closure, including one in the Castle Place centre.

The directors of the Cardiff-based company, Robert Shaw, 59, and Philip Shaw, 57, were not available for comment.

A member of staff at Shaws in Trowbridge said: “I’m not sure. We have not been told anything, so I don’t know.”

But with staff being told to sell everything at half price, the store's shelves were quickly stripped by shoppers and are now virtually empty.

Donna Stephens, the manager of Castle Place shopping centre declined to comment on the Shaws closure.

The centre is managed by APAM Ltd, a leading independent UK real estate asset and investment management group.

On Monday, customers of the high street chain took to social media to voice concerns that the Shaws shops could close.

The company has stores in Bath and in Fishponds, Kingswood and Yate in Bristol, as well as in South Wales and other parts of the UK.

The stores are said to be selling stock for half price and with many shelves already empty some could close earlier than expected.

The family-run company based in Cardiff goes back to 1912 and started in South Wales.

It is well known for its range of home accessories and soft furnishings, including bedding, cushion covers and curtains, as well as wool and yarn.

There are 28 stores around the UK as well as the Shaws Direct online shop. A Shaws shop in Stroud, Gloucestershire, closed last year.

In a second blow for the Castle Place shopping centre, the Wiltshire Times has learned that Mainlys MICA hardware store is also likely to close.

Only two people work there four days a week each, one of whom is understood to be past retirement age.

The store is owned by Henrich Hardware Ltd, which is keeping open its store in Maryport Street, Devizes.

Henrich Hardware owner, Colin Henrich, 62, who runs the company with his wife, Clare, has been contacted for comment but as yet there has been no response.