A WOMEN’s fashion clothing and footwear store is closing down in the New Year after spending 25 years on the high street.

Renaissance, located on North Road in Kirkby Stephen, is set to close by mid-January.

The store sells both casual and formal wear, as well as a selection of shoes, and stocks brands such as Great Plains UK, EMU Australia, My Essential Wardrobe and Noa Noa.

There is now a huge reduced sale where everything must go. 

Owner Gillian Brass said: “I’m closing because trade has changed. It’s a tiny shop and it’s getting harder and harder to keep going with the rising costs of card machines and electricity etc.

“I think people buy more than ever online now rather than shopping in store. No town looks how it did 20 years ago.

“It’s been a really enjoyable 25 years. Thank you to all my lovely customers who have become good friends over the years. Hopefully I’ll keep in touch with everyone. I’m going to really miss it.

“I’ve really enjoyed being my own boss but I feel it’s time for a change now and to try something new."

Gillian now intends to spend more time on her farm with her husband and three children.