A family-run home furnishings business is closing a town centre store after more than 20 years.

Akitts Home Furnishings Ltd will shut its Lowther Street, Whitehaven, premises for the final time on Saturday, June 24.

The shop, which sells homeware and giftware, has been doing business in the town for 21 years.

Director Julie Cass said the company had taken the decision for business reasons, calling it the “end of an era”.

Mrs Cass, who has worked for Akitts for 35 years, said: “We’ve had a great time and we’re sorry to be leaving. We’ve been here so long, it is sad it has come to an end. We’ll still be open in Workington.”

She also revealed the company’s lease on the property was coming to an end.

One member of staff is set to retire while another is hoping to find another job, possibly in Akitts’ Workington store.

Since announcing the move, Mrs Cass said the business has been inundated with “good wishes”.

She added: “It’s been good trading in the town but it is now the end of an era. We’d like to thank all our customers and we hope to see them all in Workington.”

A closing down sale has been launched in Whitehaven.

The Workington premises, on Campbell Savours Way, is open seven days a week.