THE OWNER of an Old Town second-hand clothes shop is closing down her business, and says a lack of custom in the area has forced her out.

Connie Croker, owner of the Wear It Well, Ladies Dress Agency in North Street says trade in Old Town has been declining for several years and the rejuvenation of the area has taken so long that no-one has been able to reap the benefits.

She said: "I have been open 11 years, but lately, business has just seemed to decline.

"People who are not from Old Town are not attracted here any more, it's difficult to find parking. I haven't seen any benefits to this Old Town regeneration, it has taken so long to come about."

Connie said that when there was car parking off Devizes Road, the area attracted many more shoppers because customers did not have to hunt for spaces.

"I still have a good broad range of customers but there is no parking near the shop. I once asked for a small indent parking off road, but currently people just have to pull up by the side of the road.

"When all these new traffic wardens come on duty in September they are bound to come around here and put tickets on my customers' cars and now there is the possibility of our rates going up again, I just seem to be working to pay those.

"Why would people want to shop around here when you can go to the Orbital Retail Park, park up for free and everything you need is there, things like that are wiping away small businesses?"

Connie plans to shut-up shop at the end of August. She wants to spend more time with her family and is considering a refresher course in hairdressing.

Over the years, she has been quite vocal about problems in Old Town.

In 1985 she raised concerns about the piles of rubbish being left by council road cleaners. In 1994 she began a petition to Thamesdown Council, trying to get a street-parking ban lifted.

At the time, her shop was in the middle of a residents' parking zone, and customers could only stop for five minutes without the risk of being booked.

In October 1995 after collecting hundreds of signatures the council gave in, despite a petition from nearby residents against parking bays.

In 1998, Connie received a Wiltshire Business Award for the sheer enthusiasm and commitment she had shown.

Richard Deacon, chairman of the Old Town Business and Professional Association was surprised to see Wear It Well closing, but said: "There has been so much of an influx and investment of new buildings in the area, things have been looking positive for Old Town but I suppose the location is not that close to where the 'action' is taking place."

Councillor Martin Wiltshire, (Lib Dem, Eastcott) said he was disappointed that the shop was closing, adding: "Nationally there has been a drop in spending and there is no doubt that hasn't helped but North Street isn't a shopping area but more of a back street.

"I understand the problems with parking but there is also a conflict of interest because it's a residential area."