Fashion store hopes dashed

Hopes of luring fashion store Laura Ashley back to its historical Mid Wales home of Llanidloes have been dashed, it was revealed today.

The company has now announced it has no intention of returning to the town. This will come as a blow to town councillors, politicians and residents who have been campaigning for the chain's return since the start of the year.

Laura Ashley closed its store in Great Oak Street in January, following the expiry of its lease, much to the dismay of the townsfolk.

The shop employed four people, who had to be redeployed to the Newtown store.

The closure was described as a "huge blow" for the town by former MP Lord Hooson, who was once a director of the firm.

Hafren Furnishers, of Llanidloes, expressed an interest in offering Laura Ashley the space it needs in order to operate a concession within its store.

Town clerk, Sonia Pritchard said: "We held a meeting with officials back in February in the hope that some sort of retail outlet back into the town.

"But we have now been told they will not be taking Hafren Furnishers up on their offer. The news has come as a great blow for the town because the store meant a lot to us all."

Hafren director Malcolm Rose said he was disappointed with the outcome .

He said: "We had offered the firm space to operate a concession in our store and we already have the likes of Carpet Right and Hammonds operating here.

"But Laura Ashley has told us it is not prepared to consider it at the moment, so in a nutshell the firm has declined our offer."

A spokeswoman for Laura Ashley said: "We can confirm that we will not be returning to Llanidloes.

"The decision to close the on expiry of the lease term was a difficult one to take considering the history of the store and Laura Ashley's close links with Wales."

The store was the first in Wales to bear the Laura Ashley name and opened in 1976. Laura Ashley died in 1985, aged 60, after an accident at her daughter's home. She is buried in Carno, Powys.

It was only this year that a new exhibition came to Llanidloes museum charting the history and local connections to Laura Ashley.