A JOKE shop which has kept customers smiling for more than 25 years is to close at the end of the month.

A reduction in footfall and rising rents has put paid to Celebrations in Turl Street.

The store, which sells party costumes, fancy dress and toys, was opened in 1992 by Rod and Barbara Denton.

It has been popular with residents and students celebrating end-of-year exams.

Now Clare Denton, who runs the shop, said the business has been forced to close because it is not making enough money.

Mother-of-two Ms Denton, 44, said: “It’s a heartbreaking decision but we really don’t have any choice because our footfall has reduced significantly since the Westgate Centre reopened.

“I don’t want to close but I have no choice without getting into lots of debt.

“A report came out recently saying footfall has gone up 8.9 per cent in the past year but I don’t think that is throughout the city centre.

“People are parking at the Westgate, shopping at the Westgate and then driving home - they are not bothering to venture out into other parts of the city.”

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Ms Denton said six staff are now looking for new jobs in the run-up to Christmas.

She added: “It was very hard telling them – I have shed a few tears over the past week.

“I do want to thank customers for their loyalty and support over the years and for their sympathy and kindness.”

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Ms Denton said Celebrations was the last remaining independent joke shop in the city centre and she has no plans to trade online.

She added: “The high street is changing and I’m only half joking when I say that one day I will be telling my grandchildren ‘people used to visit these things called shops’.”

Oxford Mail:

Earlier this year Ms Denton warned Celebrations could have to close as 2017 had been the worst year’s trading ‘by a long chalk’.

She added that stores moving out of Cornmarket Street into the new shopping centre may have put some shoppers off from visiting.

A survey showed footfall fell 4.6 per cent in Cornmarket in the 12 months after Westgate opened, although it still has the biggest footfall.

ALSO READ: How many people are using Cornmarket Street now Westgate is open? 

Queen Street got a major boost with a 38 per cent increase in footfall.

Halloween was a busy time for Celebrations but the boost was not enough to keep the business afloat and it will open for the last time on Friday, November 30.

Ms Denton said earlier high rents at the Lincoln College-owned premises were also a factor.

In September, sports store Elmer Cotton, also in Turl Street, announced its closure, and is now trading online.

Other closures included The Oxford Gallery in High Street.