AN INDEPENDENT shop which is leaving Winchester after nearly 25 years has received a sea of support from its customers.

Forme, in Parchment Street, is launching its clearance sale on Tuesday, June 6 with around two months left until the family business moves to Italy.

Following the Italian gift and homeware store’s relocation announcement, the owners have been overwhelmed by the response from customers.

Hampshire Chronicle: Forme team. From left: Andrew, Celeste, Silvia and

Manager Andrew Butling, 54, who runs the shop with his wife Celeste and parents-in-law Maurizio and Silvia Ponzellini, said: “We’ve had tears, gifts of every conceivable kind and an emotive response of regret and sorrow that we’re leaving that goes beyond being civil.

READ MORE: Longstanding Winchester shop Forme relocating to Italy

“The reaction has been very unexpected but shows that we’ve been a part of people’s lives here and gives great insight into the value of independent businesses. It really honours how important independent retail can be if it is respected and nurtured.

“Going forward people really should value what they’re losing before it’s gone and invest in independent businesses. We’ve given people a sense of ownership, belonging and pride and it’s been really moving to see people recognise that.

“Our customers have been amazing and so supportive, we can not begin to express out gratitude. It makes our leaving that bit harder but equally harder because we can go with no regrets. It’s been an incredibly positive story with some serious take outs.

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“One of the things we can do to say goodbye is sell our products at discounted rates. All of the products are from Italy so we don’t want to take them back. If people could do us one last favour, we’d be really grateful.”

Hampshire Chronicle: Inside Forme

Nearly all the stock at Forme will be available for varying “significant” clearance discounts according to Mr Butling.

The manager expects the shop will close by the end of July before the family relocates to San Casciano in Val di Pesa near Florence, under the new name Nuovo Corso which means “new path”. The only other change to the business will be a greater range of clothing.

Forme first opened in Parchment Street in 1999 but after 24 years, the owners have decided to move closer to their family and to lessen the burden of Brexit.