RAMSEY is facing a “massive loss” as two town centre shops are due to close.

Fenland Kitchens, in Great Whyte, run by David Butler, is holding a final clearance sale and shoe shop D W Bream, also in Great Whyte, will close if planning permission for a Rumbles fish and chip restaurant is granted.

A spokesman for the shoe shop said it wasn’t known if it was going to relocate should the doors close on its current premises.

Ramsey Mayor Councillor Ian Curtis said it would be a massive loss to the town.

“I have always found Dave [Butler] to be an amenable person. He’s the type of person who if he didn’t have something, he’d tell you to give him a couple of days and he’d get it,” Cllr Curtis said. “He is a well respected businessman and he has got many recommendations for his work. It’s going to have a knock-on effect as he uses quite a few local tradesmen to do the work.”

Ramsey Town Council has opposed the opening of the fish and chip restaurant, claiming it would increase anti-social behaviour.