AN INDEPENDENT Italian home and giftware shop has announced when it will be closing its doors for good, after 25 years in Winchester.

Forme, in Parchment Street, is entering the last phase of its clearance sale as it prepares for a final farewell on Saturday, July 29.

With most of the stock already sold, Christmas items are beginning to make an appearance with prices slashed by 50 per cent or more.

Following news of the business’s relocation to Italy, the family owners have been overwhelmed by the support and loyalty of their customers.

READ MORE: Longstanding Winchester shop Forme relocating to Italy

Manager Andrew Butling, 54, who runs the shop with his wife Celeste and parents-in-law Maurizio and Silvia Ponzellini, said: “The response continues to be extraordinary. Our customers have come to us in tears and with wine and chocolates.

“As a result of their loyalty we’ve managed to get rid of 90 per cent of stock – which is amazing, we never thought we’d achieve that.

Hampshire Chronicle: Andrew Butling (left), his parents and law and his wife CelesteAndrew Butling (left), his parents and law and his wife Celeste (Image: Andrew Butling)

“It’s been an emotional rollercoaster for all of us and in different ways. My wife and I are extremely excited to move and start this next chapter of our life. It’s going to be great to live in another country again and speak another language.

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“My parents-in-law are feeling sad. Although it’s comfortable for them to go back home they’re leaving behind a 25-year project that they were very invested in. It’s a very complex thing.”

Mr Butling first announced the closure in May, listing “happy family reasons” as the main deciding factor in addition to Brexit which has made importing goods more expensive and difficult.

Forme will close its doors for the final time on Saturday, July 29, with the shop open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm until then.