A WINCHESTER High Street shop is set to close within the next two years.

Closs and Hamblin has been told that the building's owners will not renew the lease when it expires in December 2024.

The much-loved fabric and home accessories shop and cafe, well-known for its window displays, is believed to be looking for smaller premises in the city centre.

C&H was approached for comment but has not responded.

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The building, occupied by C&H and Rick Stein restaurant, was bought by Winchester-based property firm Gentian Developments in 2021.

Gentian director Nick Ekins said C&H has not paid their rent since June, which he described as "disappointing". This was due to an admin oversight and they are now paying it again.

Mr Ekins added: "We need our cash flow as well. We have a business to support. We appreciate things have gone wrong (for C&H). We help out many small retailers, we are not ogres, or feudal landlords, our interest is in making businesses work."

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C&H, a family firm based in Kent, has recently moved their Tunbridge Wells and Horsham branches into smaller units.

Mr Ekins said the terms of the lease gave C&H no right to renew, which is unusual and was agreed by the previous owner. C&H's departure will allow the firm to develop the site. Rick Stein's lease runs for another 16 years.

Gentian proposes to retain retail on the ground floor but develop the second and third floors, and potentially add a fourth storey, for a total of 16 flats, subject to planning permission.