I cannot be the only person who is deeply sad and concerned that Closs and Hamblin are leaving their current High Street premises and reducing their range of goods.

C&H is my favourite Winchester shop; I rarely visit without making a purchase. Online shopping is no substitute for the ‘real thing’, especially when it comes to crafts where colour matching is often crucial.

As far as I’m aware there is nowhere else within reasonable distance where these goods can be bought. I always buy Christmas decorations, presents and other gifts here as well & the café is my ‘go-to’ for coffee and light lunches. Staff are consistently friendly and helpful throughout the store.

I thought the city council cared about the high street offer; at this rate there will be so little to bother coming in for, especially if M&S bow out as well. It does not bode well for the Silverhill project if a shop like C&H can’t cope with the overheads in the High Street.

Lynda Banister

Pine Close,

Oliver’s Battery,

Winchester

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