ONE of Winchester’s longest-standing independent shops is closing and moving to Italy, to be closer to family and help relieve the financial burden of Brexit.

Forme is launching its clearance sale as it prepares to relocate to Tuscany before the end of the summer.

The family business, which sells Italian gift and homeware items, opened in Parchment Street in 1999 but the team is ready to move closer to its roots.

Hampshire Chronicle: Inside Forme

Manager Andrew Butling, 54, who runs the shop with his wife Celeste and parents-in-law Maurizio and Silvia Ponzellini, said: “We’re moving for very happy family reasons. Celeste’s parents deserve to take it easy and take a step back. The food and weather are better there too.

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“There are mixed emotions because we have a community of friends here and many of those began as customers. The shop has provided a social circle and extended family that anyone would be sad to leave behind.

“We have been very happy and fulfilled here so leaving under these circumstances is actually quite easy as we have no regrets.

"As a family, we decided to live and work together which comes with compromise. We could have had different jobs with more money but we wanted to prioritise family and we are very happy with that."

Hampshire Chronicle: Andrew Butling of Forme

Despite the primary reason for the move being family and allowing his parents-in-law to retire, Mr Butling said that Brexit has also been a “deciding factor”.

He said: “Brexit was a nightmare for independents. Importing goods from Europe has become much more expensive and difficult. Our unique selling point is our products from abroad so we have experienced a tremendous increase in our costs.

“The number of companies that want to work with England has decreased by about 80 per cent as they also have to do more paperwork. The cost of living has gone up for everyone but Brits have shot themselves in the foot by removing easy access to products for independent businesses. This has certainly been a deciding factor.

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“As a remain area, Winchester has been very good about Brexit and we’ve had lots of support from our customers who are loyal, thoughtful and responsible.”

During the past 20 years the family has also been petitioning for Parchment Street to become pedestrianised with dual access like it is across the road by The Hatch and Forte Kitchen.

Hampshire Chronicle: Parchment Street

Mr Butling said: “This has been a big failing of the council. If they found a way to do it, they would have reduced the rat run and created an environment that would have been much more conducive. The tea room could have had outdoor seating, there are enough businesses here that provide a sufficient service and the local population would have been delighted.”

Forme is beginning its clearance sale imminently with the family hoping to sell most of their stock before the move. The closing date is currently unknown but anticipated to happen by the end of August.

The new shop, in San Casciano in Val di Pesa near Florence, will be named Nuovo Corso which means “new path”. The only other change to the businesses will be a greater range of clothing.