One of two branches of a north Norfolk ladies fashion shop will close at the end of the month - but the other will continue and take on all the staff from the other.

One of two branches of a north Norfolk ladies fashion shop will close at the end of the month - but the other will continue and take on all the staff from the other.

The Holt branch of Gazelle on Fish Hill opened in 2004 as an expansion to the established Sheringham branch on Church Street, which has been running for a little over a decade.

The Holt shop will close, confirmed business owner Jools McLeod, but it was not all bad news.

'Obviously it is very unfortunate that the Holt branch is going,' said Mrs McLeod.

'But the good news is that we won't need to lose any staff at all, they can all be accommodated in the Sheringham shop mainly because I have been working there on my own, effectively short staffed, for some time.

'We simply weren't doing enough business in Holt to justify renewing the lease, despite the fact we and the staff have worked very hard.

'I don't think it's down to the immediate economic climate, it hasn't been easy at the Holt store for some time now.

'The customers have been wonderful, but we can't carry on with two stores.'

Mrs McLeod said she didn't feel there were any particular problems with the Holt location, although expensive rental and difficulties in parking might have played a part.

She was confident about the future of the Sheringham shop because of the 'very vibrant' town centre which was always busy, as well as having an influx of tourists in the summer.