A POPULAR fashion and jewellery retailer has closed its doors for good after shutting for one last time yesterday in Weymouth.

It was announced in mid December that Monsoon Accessorize in the town centre would close on Wednesday, January 5, after a sign was put up in the store.

The retailer has now closed for good in what is another devastating blow for the high street in the town following the recent closures of Dorthy Perkins, Burtons, Iceland and Debenhams.

The sign which was put up in store, read: “It's time to say goodbye to our friends in Weymouth.

Dorset Echo: Sign inside Monsoon Accessorize Weymouth announcing its closure. Picture: Sam Machin

"We have loved being part of this beautiful town but sadly we will be closing our doors for the last time on Wednesday January 5.

"Thank you for the support over the years. Team Weymouth."

Weymouth Town Council Councillor Tia Roos, who represents the Melcombe Regis ward, said she was sad to see the retailer leave the high street.

Cllr Roos said: "It’s sad to see any business close although Monsoon and Accessorize are commercial companies.

“We can only hope that another business will take its place. It would be great to see more small local businesses but then Covid-19 and costs to pay on properties such as these are crushing.”

The building in New Bond Street is not leased by Weymouth Town Council but the authority has promised to work with the business community in light of the challenges faced over the past 12 months.

A spokeswoman for Weymouth Town Council said: “The ongoing situation with the pandemic has proved to be a challenge for high streets up and down the country.

“As a council, we will work with the business community and other partners to look for new, innovative ways to support our town centre.”

Previously Weymouth BID manager Dawn Rondeau said she was ‘sad’ to see Monsoon go and would be ‘pressing the government to provide much needed support during these challenging times’.

The nearest available branch of the store will now be at the Castlepoint Shopping Centre in Bournemouth.

Previously the business shut 35 of its shops across the country in the summer of 2020 when the chain went into administration, with 545 staff made redundant at the time.

Monsoon Accessorize has been contacted for comment on the closure. It is unknown how many jobs will be lost.