Retailers in south Newbury are reporting mixed fortunes with one shop closing, one opening, one extending and one moving.
Barber-ellas hair salon in Cheap Street closed recently, with only a notice posted on the door by Vanessa Kumar thanking customers for their support over the last five years.
It is the latest closure in the Cheap Street area, following the relocation of Charles Abby estate agents to Bartholomew Street earlier this year blamed on the ‘dying’ footfall in the area and the closure of the Laurel chinese restaurant in 2008.
However, the former Laurel restaurant is soon to become an indian restaurant, The Indian Lounge, while the Newbury RSPCA branch is expected to soon move along the road in Cheap Street to the slightly bigger unit that was occupied by Barber-ellas.
Meanwhile just round the corner in Kings Road West, the owner of independent barber shop The Barber Lounge has expanded his business to include a retro clothes and art shop.
And Bernie England, aged 39, who opened the barbers eight and half years ago said he hoped to stock even more t-shirts and street artwork in the future such had been the demand.
Mr England, an avid collector of artwork anyway, said one of the reasons he opened the extension to the shop was because he was running out of room in his house.
He added that the recent trend of independent shops shutting down in the town had been a worry but said: "Luckily I have kept my head above water and so far, been quite successful."