Ladies fashion chain Dash is closing its flagship store – in Marlborough High Street – because of a wrangle with the landlord over rent.
The store, which has thrown a closing down sale, is due to close on Friday, March 23. Three members of staff, including the manager, have been made redundant while two other members of staff have been relocated to Swindon.
Dash has traded in Marlborough for over 20 years and, before the closure was announced, the High Street shop was its flagship store.
Manager Lisa Foote, who has worked at the store for over 10 years, said: “People used to come here from quite some distance because we stocked the full range of clothing. A couple of customers used to come twice a year from the Isle of Wight.”
“Our customers were very disappointed when dash announced the closure. There are a lot of unhappy ladies in Marlborough at the moment. One has even written a letter to the MP.”
The manager confirmed the decision was related to the high rents charged by landlords for retail properties in Marlborough.
“The company is in profit,” she said. “The issues were with the landlord. They couldn’t agree on the rent.”
Marlborough Chamber of Commerce is due to discuss the matter of retail and office rent at its next meeting in mid-February. Committee members will be deciding whether to write to property agents about their concerns.
