A HOMEWARE shop in the heart of Romsey has closed its doors for the final time after "three years" of trading.

Fox Finds Homeware, Bell Street, shut after the owner, Adam Fox, decided he wanted to focus on selling his goods "online", according to Romsey town centre manager, Mark Edgerley.

He said: "The shop is up for let and Adam's online business has grown so much that he needs to devote more time to it.

"He has developed a good online market and I am told it is stronger than the shop business.

"It is a lovely business, we were very pleased to have the shop there and we wish Adam well with the continuing success of his online business."

Mr Edgerley added the shop has been in Romsey for "three years", adding the unit is "very cheap at £8,200 a year".

Cllr Dorothy Baverstock, who represents Romsey Cupernham on the borough council, said: "Any shop that closes in Romsey is absolutely devastating.

"We need to give our custom to all the different shops so we can retain a healthy economy.

"As a person who has never ordered anything online, I always believe you should give your custom to the local shops and economy, because they have so much more to put up with."

She added: "I think we have to support these shops as much as we can particularly with the coronavirus, so they will need more support then ever.

"It is a shame because shops are not on a level playing field with business rates, so the government needs to do something."

Fox Finds Homeware closed "at the end of February", according to Mr Edgerley.

Fox Finds Homeware has been contacted for comment.

This comes after a shoe shop in Romsey shutdown at the beginning of February.

Anya, Bell Street, stopped trading in the market town after nine years due to the “lease coming to an end”.