A FURNITURE and accessories store is set to close following a downturn in sales.The Coach House Emporium is due to cease trading at its Market Row premises in mid-December, but managing director Phil Thomson said he was looking at new locations for the business.

A FURNITURE and accessories store is set to close following a downturn in sales.

The Coach House Emporium is due to cease trading at its Market Row premises in mid-December, but managing director Phil Thomson said he was looking at new locations for the business.

He said the decision to close was taken six months ago because trade had been affected by scaffolding erected by Great Yarmouth Borough Council opposite the store's Market Row entrance and which had made it difficult for customers to get in.

The building work was to provide new flats.

But a number of other factors contributed to the downturn, including the credit crunch.

The store moved to Market Row two-and-a-half years ago from its South Market Road premises - a move forced on it due to the redevelopment of Market Gates shopping centre and the bus station.

Mr Thomson said: “We have really enjoyed meeting and serving the thousands of lovely customers we have gained over the last six years and all my staff have worked extremely hard to build a reputation based on selling the highest quality furniture at low prices and offering a premium home delivery service.

“However, after investing heavily in our Market Row store we faced extreme difficulties increasing the number of customers to our store - this has been affected by continued building works and scaffolding down the Rows. But the final straw was the Stonecutters Way road closure for the current Hall Quay roadworks, completely isolating the shop.”

He added all orders would be honoured until the shop's closure just before Christmas.