A gift and framing shop in The Ashley Centre will be shutting on Sunday.

Framed, which sells cards and gifts, prints and images and provides a framing and mounting service, will be shutting up shop on May 18, after two years of trading.

Its manager, Christina Agate, said the high costs of renting the shop space and paying business rates has meant Framed has to close.

She said: "I can’t afford the business rates and the rent.

"I thought that it would turn-over more and it hasn’t.  What I was earning was just about covering my costs and the business rates. 

"I tried to appeal against how much I have been paying in rates but to no avail.

"The footfall in The Ashley Centre is certainly better than being in the town centre. 

"It’s a busy little centre, but I was just not making enough."

Ms Agate said high rents and business rates have also been affecting other small independent retailers.

She added: "Without a doubt, it does affect them. 

"Per square foot paying the same amount as Marks and Spencer, of course we are going to struggle.  It’s very high."