Speculation is mounting that Laura Ashley is to close its last remaining store in Mid Wales.
The company, which has not confirmed the plan to mynewtown, is understood to be closing its store in the Bear Lanes shopping centre in Newtown. It is the last remaining high street presence for what was once the region's largest and most famous business. The company closed its Llanidloes shop several years ago despite a public outcry.
It is understood Laura Ashley will relocate the shop to an existing company site in the town at the Vastre Industrial Estate.
The news is a further below to the town's high street trade with the loss of Currys last year and more recently Carpet Right closed its store in the former Woolworths site. Focus DIY is also closing its business in Pool Road after going into administration.
Laura Ashley set up the business in Mid Wales with her husband Sir Bernard Ashley back in the 1970s before she died in October 1985 following a fall at her daughter's home. Sir Bernard died on the 14th February 2009. Both are buried at Carno church.
The company's international headquarters and manufacturing facility was based at Carno, near Newtown, until the 1990s before it became just a manufacturing site before eventually closing completely. The business also had sites throughout Newtown, Machynlleth, Wrexham and Caernarfon.
It still has a call centre, warehouse and distribution centre in Newtown.
The nearest Laura Ashley store will be in Shrewsbury. mynewtown has contacted Laura Ashley for a comment on the closure but is yet to receive a response.