A much-loved staple of Teddington High Street will be closing its doors after 24 years.

Mitzi Bond, owner of Mitzi B, has decided to close her store after suffering their toughest trading year to date in 2018.

While the store had a busy December, this was not enough to balance out the quieter month.

This mixed with an increase in rent, changing shopping trends and the uncertainty surrounding Brexit has forced the boutique lifestyle and interiors shop to close on February 17.

Mitzi, who took over the store 22 years ago, said: "We have been struggling over the last year, this is despite being open 7 days a week and only having one member of staff.

"Our freeholder decreased our rent but we still struggled. The store has lived through two recessions but 2018 was by far the worst trading year.

"A number of stores and small businesses in Teddington have closed recently. It's hard for small businesses, big chains come in and are able to pay the high rent.

"It will have a knock on effect, where small businesses can't afford the rent and are forced to close."

Mitzi also said that more people are buying online, adding: "The shopping trends have changed since we first opened.

"More people are going online to buy and we do have an online store but customers have told us they like to come in and view the products.

"I have had people who have seen something in my store but find it online for cheaper.

"Obviously anyone would buy it for cheaper but we can't sell it for anything less than the RRP - we have bills to pay."

There were a number of people who took to social media to express their sadness at the store closing.

The store is popular for people buying gifts and Mitzi really likes bringing new and exciting products in.

She said: "It's really the only thing I have stuck with for a long period of time.

"It has kept me stimulated, it was fun bringing new and exciting products in, we are always looking at new trends and constantly changing.

"We buy a lot from the EU and Scandinavia, one of our suppliers in Denmark expressed their concerns about the impact of Brexit and the uncertainty surrounding it. We will be sad to leave."

Mitzi, who has grown up in St Margarets, took over the store from her mum when she moved to Glasgow.

She wanted to thank the customers for supporting them over the last 24 years.

A sale will last until the closing date, which is February 17.