High street sales are down across the country as more shoppers drift to out-of-town supermarkets and online shopping, and this trend appears to have affected Newbury badly.

Last Saturday, discount clothes shop the Officers Club closed for good, while over the road, ladies discount fashion outlet QS is closing next month. Next door, jeweller H Samuel ceases trading in town this week, and next to that Swift Dry Cleaners are moving off the high street to Weavers Walk. These units are to be demolished in two years to create a new street through to the proposed Park Way shopping mall.

Recently, B&B Hifi closed in Northbrook Street, with agents offering anyone who takes it a rent-free year, following weak demand for shops in town. Meanwhile, in the Kennet Centre, Cramarrs toyshop follows Wimpy, Sugar & Spice, Sunflower, and Days Gone Bye, after closing last week.

Most surprisingly, newbury.net has learnt that Costa Coffee at the Town Bridge closes on August 10 amid talks of a new lease. The chain has come under intense competition from Starbucks and Caffe Nero, and recently banned smoking to boost trade. Staff do not know if a new tenant has been found.

The prospects for struggling traders will make grim reading for those behind Newbury’s Vision, which proposes boosting town centre shop-space by up to 30%. As reported earlier this week, Northbrook Street will be given a makeover by West Berkshire Council next year, and the imminent Park Way scheme is due to be completed by 2010.

Newbury.net has also received reports of three more shop closures in the town centre, which we will bring you more on later this week.