RECENT weeks have seen further shop closures in Oswestry as Rainbow's End, Lloyd Brothers Travel Agency, and the Sundeck beauty salon failed to open for business.
Rainbow's End, owned by Martin Turner, has enjoyed various locations in the town after the family business began life in Ironbridge, in 1982. But the outlet on English Walls closed its doors for what appears to be the final time on Saturday, July 24, leaving staff in the lurch after receiving no prior notice.
Shoppers enjoyed a sudden 'cash only' sale at the premises on its last day, and a van was seen parked outside the store on Sunday to carry away remaining stock.
Some employees had not been paid in the weeks leading up to the closure, and it also transpired that its sister shop in Much Wenlock, has also closed, after the outlet in Bala ceased trading last year.
No notice has yet been placed in the window to advise shoppers of the closure, leaving many bemused as to the shop's overnight disappearance.
Arthur Street travel agents, Lloyd Brothers, last week displayed a notice in their shop front announcing that they were no longer open for trading, and advised anyone who had already booked their holiday to contact the tour operators directly, with their booking reference number.
Stunned holidaymakers are now faced with uncertainty following the closure, but hopefully tour operators should be able to ensure that any holidays paid for will not be lost.
Sundeck tanning and beauty salon, on New Street, also closed last week after several years in the town, whilst Ethel Austin, on Church Street, is also in the midst of a closing down sale, although the store is expected to re-open as a clothes shop under a different name.
Mayor of Oswestry, Elaine Channon, said: "I am very disappointed to hear the news of these closures, particularly from established businesses that have given long service to the local community."
A FAMILY bakers has also gone into liquidation after more than a century of business.
Ecclestons Confectioners, which has seven shops across the area, including one in Chirk, closed last Monday.
Twelve full-time staff and 30 part-time staff have been made redunant.
Lyn Williams, from Duncan Sheard Glass Chartered Accountants in Liverpool, said: "We were brought in to deal with Ecclestons Confectioners' insolvancy last week.
"We have given them advice and can confirm that they went into liquidation on Thursday."
Chirk Town Councillor Terry Evans said: "It is sad to lose such a long standing business that has been part of Chirk's High Street for so long.
"Ecclestons had a great reputation and it will be greatly missed," he added.