PETERSFIELD town centre is set to lose one of its oldest stores as a shoe shop is set to close in September.

Rising rates, internet shopping and uncertain trading conditions for retailers have led to the demise of Mark Kimber Shoes.

The decision to close the Chapel Street shop was a tough one for managing director John Waldron, as the store has sold footwear to the people of Petersfield for more than three decades.

But he believes that business is only going to get tougher as retailers struggle to make a profit in an increasingly difficult climate.

He said: “We’ve got falling sales, mainly due to the current instability, and I think Brexit is a concern for people because they’re being more careful with their money.

“There’s an awful lot of cheap shoes in supermarkets and people are buying them because they’re trying to save money.

“Then there’s minimum wage, which is going up all the time, pensions, business rates – and everything is getting squeezed.”

The store is selling children’s ‘back to school’ stock and will remain open for the next couple of months, but no winter footwear has been ordered.

Plenty of customers have expressed their sadness to staff about the forthcoming closure, with around six workers set to lose their jobs. “It’s very sad because we’ve still got a massive customer base,” said manager, Jenny White.

“We’ve got regular and loyal customers who have used us since they were children. It’s not only sad for the town but the people who work here, too.”