HIGH street turmoil has led to talk of shops closing, unless trade can be saved by a Christmas boom. Shops across Dunmow are reporting unusually slow sales at the start of the festive season, with dwindling crowds and a loss of tradition being blamed. P

HIGH street turmoil has led to talk of shops closing, unless trade can be saved by a Christmas boom.

Shops across Dunmow are reporting unusually slow sales at the start of the festive season, with dwindling crowds and a "loss of tradition" being blamed.

Premises that have been open for more than a decade are facing the crisis and are concerned that regular customers appear to be disappearing.

The concern is spreading to regular customers who still use the towns shops and facilities for their Christmas browse.

Rose Brown has lived in Dunmow for 44 years and has done her shopping at Christmas in the town for every single one of them.

She said: "It's such a shame that the town is losing its business it seems that Dunmow is losing its character bit by bit."

Shops have already started to close on the High Street due to a lack of custom said one shopkeeper, who didn't wish to be named.

She said: "Traders near opposite Angel Lane closed down a while ago, that is one gone so how many more to follow?".

Mrs Rose pointed out that it appears the local population are not getting behind the local businesses by shopping in the town. "I'm a resident of this town and when I come through my own High Street I like to see shops doing well, it's good for the community as a whole," she added.

The lack of festive decorations appear to have deterred crowds also, something that shopkeepers hope will change when the late-night shopping (December 14) takes place.

Browsers also seem to be neglecting the Tuesday market on Angel Lane as well, one market trader who had the same spot last year said: "Things have been slower this year, but we are sure that it'll pick up as Christmas gets closer.