Nestown cafe fears after closure of call centre

A cafe in Newtown could end up being forced out of business because of the recent closure of the town's call centre, it has been claimed.

Lisa Armes, owner of the "Snack Bar" cafe, in the Pryce Jones's building, which up until last month housed Shop Direct, said she had seen a downturn in trade ever since the call centre closed. The call centre closed its office in the building, which meant the loss of 163 jobs, last month.

But Mrs Armes said she now feared that her businesses could end as a result.

"The cafe has been based at the Pryce Jones's building for about 30 years now. I took over the business from my mum about seven years ago and have never seen it this quiet before," she said.

"I think the reason why it has been so quiet is because people assume that the actual Pryce Jones's building has closed because Shop Direct has. But this is not the case at all.

"I'm really hoping trade will start to pick up again soon and I hope I can get the message out to the public that my business is still very much up and running."

Councillor Joy Jones, town mayor, said she was worried the business was suffering as a result of the call centre's closure.