Barretts in St Neots has today (Thursday) confirmed it will be closing down.

The department store, that has been operating in the town for 127 years, announced at the end of last year that trading conditions were challenging and it may be forced to shut up shop.

Director Alan Huckle told The Hunts Post two weeks ago that a dramatic fall in customer traffic over the past 12 months had left the store fighting for its place on the high street.

“The decline has been dramatic - it all happened very quickly,” he said.

Adding: “I think it’s fair to say that the traditional high street is under more pressure now than it ever has been.”

Mr Huckle used Twitter to announce the news and thanked his supporters. A closing down sale starts on June 3.