A family-owned Banbury shop is to close -- blaming the nearby Castle Quay shopping centre for a decline in trade.

Church's China, in the town's High Street, will shut its doors as soon as a new tenant can be found.

Director Philip Church said the shop had opened in 1977 in White Lion Walk and later moved to the High Street.

"We were the town's focal point for quality china and crystal," he said.

"But the shift of Banbury's shopping centre has resulted in a marked decline in trade.

"This is sad news for all concerned -- particularly for our staff who have worked tremendously hard through difficult trading conditions."

Mr Church said the decline in trade was a direct result of Debenhams opening.

He said: "It seemed that no matter what measures we took, the shopping public were drawn to the other end of the town centre."

The shop will hold a closing down sale until new tenants are found.

Mr Church said: "This will give a chance to clear unwanted stock from all our stores and offer some unexpected bargains to our Banbury customers."

The family's other shops in Rugby, Kettering, and Northampton are not affected by the Banbury closure. ,

Church's is the latest shop in the 'old' shopping area of Banbury to complain of a lack of trade.

Other shops, including the town's oldest butchers, Fowlers, have gone -- and traders in High Street, George Street, Church Lane, and Parsons Street have demanded action.