ANOTHER long-standing fixture of Selby's main shopping street is set to close its doors for the final time next month.

Greenwoods menswear in Gowthorpe, which has traded in the town for five decades, will close in April, leaving another empty store in the high street.

A spokeswoman for Greenwoods said the store would cease trading after more than 50 years in the town on Saturday, April 19.

She said: "We would like to thank all our loyal customers who we have supported us throughout the years.

"It is unfortunate that there has been a severe deterioration of trade within the town and this matched with the high rent and business rates within the town has made it unprofitable for us to continue to trade."

The spokeswoman said Greenwoods has operated as a business for more than 150 years, and "continues to grow", with 89 branches still open, the nearest to Selby being based in York.

Richard Schofield owns Heaven and Home in Gowthorpe and is town centre spokesman for the Selby Chamber, and called the closure "a nail in the coffin" of the town centre.

He said: "It's such a great shame. They are obviously pulling it out because it's not worth it being there, because they haven't gone bust as a company.

"It's due to not enough people shopping in Selby, that's the bottom line and the council need to open their eyes a bit if companies like that can't survive. People keep saying we need a Marks & Spencers or something like that, but they won't come if companies like Greenwoods don't think it's worth staying here."

A spokeswoman for Selby District Council said: “Rents are set by the private sector and business rate levels are set by central government.

"However looking at how we support local businesses is a key strand of our Programme for Growth work. To date this has included a business breakfast summit and workshops for local businesses. We’ve linked up with Business Support York & North Yorkshire to make sure we are giving local businesses the information and support they need, whilst also offering the opportunity to network and build businesses contacts."

The spokeswoman also said the council was working with local businesses, councillors and the community to try and attract shoppers to Selby.