Clothing retailer Cotswold to close Ludlow shop

The last remaining Cotswold clothes shop in the country is to close in Ludlow, the firm said today.

The women's clothing retailer's King Street shop will shut on August 20 after 25 years trading in the town.

Five long-serving members of staff with a combined 84 years' experience will lose their jobs as a result.

Staff were informed of the decision earlier this week, and said they were "very sorry" to be leaving the town after 25 years.

Diana Jackson, manager of the Ludlow store, said: "We have had an inkling it was coming for some time as each store has been closing down in other towns.

"But we have only known we are closing for less than a week – we have barely had two weeks' notice.

"There are five of us working at the store and we are all being made redundant. We understand that trade is good but the company is focusing on its mail order operation.

"We would like to thank all our customers for their loyal custom over the years."

No one from Cotswold Collections' head office was available to comment.