A Weymouth gift shop has closed its doors for the final time.

As previously reported, Chalbury Dorset Gifts and Hampers, on St Mary Street, announced it would close its doors for the last time on Saturday, October 28, after 10 years in the town centre.

Owner Luke Mansell also owns Chalbury Food and Wine on Chalbury Corner, Preston, and has made the decision to devote more time to that store.

He said the workload of juggling two shops had become too much for him and the time had come to focus his efforts on his Preston store.

Mr Mansell said: "No one is to blame, I have taken the decision to suit my family and my lifestyle.

"We are not closing the shop because it failed, I just don’t want the trouble of owning two shops, the shop was still making money.

Dorset Echo: Owner Luke MansellOwner Luke Mansell

"I have owned the shop in Weymouth town centre for 10 years and the shop in Preston for 20 years and I cannot be in two places at once."

“The shop still made a profit, it is not because it failed, in business, you have to give up when the time is right.

"We have had a good 10 years and I need to concentrate on my other business interests now."

The closure is one of six businesses on St Mary Street to close or announce a move of premises in 2023.

Chalbury follows Barclays, McDonald's and Naughty Fork Desserts in closing down on the street, whilst Shoe Zone will move into the unit left by McDonald's.

In July, Marks and Spencer also announced plans to close the store on St Mary Street amid plans to move to a new superstore on Weymouth Gateway Business Park.

Mr Mansell has thanked his loyal customers and holidaymakers who supported his business, often returning year after year and said he hopes they come and visit him in his shop in Preston.

He said: "We were very well supported through the years and we are very grateful to our loyal customers, locals and holidaymakers.

“We can still offer everything in our store on Chalbury Corner in Preston if they want to come and visit us."