By Darren Gibson

DUMBARTON shoppers have faced another blow as the high street’s Shoe Zone announced its closure.

The low-cost shoe store has ceased to all trading from it’s Dumbarton town centre store, appearing to lay the blame on the economic problems imposed on them by consecutive UK governments.

A Shoe Zone spokesperson said: “It is with great regret that we have closed our store in Dumbarton due to underperformance.

“We have referenced before that for the retail sector to continue to play its important role in the UK economy and town centres to serve their communities, it is vital that the Government recognises the impact of the increasing financial burden placed on businesses on the UK high street by successive governments and their policies.

“We would like to thank the local community for all their support during our tenure and we would welcome customers to visit us at our Clydebank, Greenock or Paisley stores, or online at www.shoezone.com.”

Damon Scott, chief executive of Dunbartonshire Chamber of Commerce, a membership organisation which promotes, represents and supports Dunbartonshire business, said: "It is always disappointing when a business closes in the local area and results in job losses. The difficult trading conditions in the retail sector across the UK are well known and high streets across the country are going through a difficult period and Dumbarton is no exception.

"Town Centres are having to re-evaluate their positioning and respond to changing shopping habits and particularly the rise in online shopping and more demand for experiential destinations.

"It is important that a critical mass is built to provide compelling reasons for our communities to visit, use and regenerate our town centres. We need renewed focus, investment and support for business on national and local levels to ensure this happens.

"Via Scottish Chambers of Commerce the Chamber network continues to work with the Scottish Government and partners to represent the needs of our business communities. On a local level the Chamber provides an important partner to support any town centre initiatives on behalf of the private sector.

"This closure should also be contrasted with the opening of the new Lidl store that provides a much more positive overall picture for the town with the creation of around 40 new jobs."