ONE of Dunmow s most iconic shops is closing down as the town s High Street slump threatens more and more traders. Shops struggling to pay rates and customers continuing to stay away to save money has led the High Street area into what some shoppers have

ONE of Dunmow's most iconic shops is closing down as the town's High Street slump threatens more and more traders.

Shops struggling to pay rates and customers continuing to stay away to save money has led the High Street area into what some shoppers have claimed as "bad as the recession in the '80s".

Clothes boutique, Suzana, is the latest business to close its doors for the final time due to the owner retiring and packing her bags to move to Suffolk.

Owner Sue Snell is also the secretary and one of the driving forces behind the town's chamber of trade and commerce, which will now have to actively search for a new person to help chairman Mike Perry.

He said: "It is a great shame that she is closing down, I have known for some time now, but to see another shop go is very sad. She has been absolutely brilliant for the chamber."

Maggies Trinkets owner Maggie Milne is worried that the whole High Street will become a shopping wasteland. "It really is bad at the minute, everyone seems to be staying away to save the pennies," she said.

Suzanas had been trading since 1993. The shop is owned by Mrs Snell after she bought it from the previous owner of the Saracen's Head hotel, situated next door, and will now be sold back to the current hotel owners for use as part of a refurbishment scheduled for January.

Mrs Snell thanked all her customers for the great loyalty they have shown. "It is time for us to hang up the hangers and move on after 15 years of trading, I have chosen to close the shop and sell up because it is time to relax in retirement.

"All of the items in the shop, from clothes to fittings, will be sold off at very low prices before we close at the end of November. I really can't thank my customers enough for helping me own such a successful business."

Mrs Snell will resign from the Dunmow Chamber of Trade at its annual general meeting on October 27.