Traders' fears for the future of Shifnal

Traders in Shifnal today called for residents to support local businesses or face the prospect of a ghost town amid growing fears that people are shunning its shops and taking their business elsewhere.

The appeal came after Haughtons butchers announced it will close on Friday after 20 years operating in Bradford Street. Local business leaders now fear other stores could follow if people do not support them.

Jan Park, chairman of Shifnal Business Forum and owner of Blue Florist, in Market Street, said residents needed to understand the consequences of losing traders in the town.

She said: "People need to realise what local shops have to offer and the help we need to survive. If it was not for our events and weddings Blue would find it hard to remain open.

"This problem is not just local, but people still shop and go to the pub. They are slowly deserting Shifnal."

The 58-year-old said efforts were under way to encourage more people to support shops.

She said: "We are trying to secure funding to launch a package which can be delivered to residents explaining the need for their custom. It will be called the Shop Shifnal Campaign."

Butcher Peter Smith blamed spiralling wholesale prices and competition from supermarkets for his decision to shut Haughtons, which will see three people lose their jobs.

Martin Stanton, who runs Shifnal Home and Garden, in Bradford Street, said Mr Smith had little choice in shutting up shop.

The 40-year-old said: "Our profits were down seven per cent for the first six-months of this year, which in turn were slightly down on last year.

"Fortunately we have rallied slightly in the last two months but we don't have the same kind of supermarket competition that Peter had."

Lana Giles, 51, landlady at the Wheatsheaf Pub, in Broadway, added: "During the week the pub is now very quiet."

By Peter Finch