A WELL-KNOWN York shop has announced plans to close one of its branches.

Barnitts in Front Street in Acomb will close on June 24, at the end of its 25-year lease in the street.

Despite attempts to keep the store running, it is no longer "commercially viable" to continue trading in Acomb, managing director Paul Thompson said.

He said: "We are sad about it. The dynamics have changed and the types of shops down there are not attracting the footfall. Twenty-five years ago Acomb was very busy. The way people shop has changed, people get their goods delivered, we have to change with it."

He added: "We would like to thank everybody who has supported us over the years and we are very sorry we are closing our doors.

"We have done as much as we can, we have tried our best to get it to turn around but it's not happened. It hasn't been an easy decision."

Even after negotiations over the lease, Mr Thompson said the shop had "come to the end of its life" and was no longer commercially viable. The size of the shop also meant it was unable to stock the range they had wanted it to.

The five staff employed in Acomb will move to work in other parts of the business. Barnitts employs 84 people in York.

Mr Thompson said the store in Colliergate would remain open and people who would ordinarily use the Acomb branch would be able to use the business's free delivery service.

Meanwhile, he said plans were underway to open a click and collect service with parking in James Street.

Cllr Andrew Waller, a member of the Acomb Alive campaign to get business flourishing in the Acomb area and to encourage people to shop locally, said he was disappointed by the decision.

He said: "We are going to continue to promote Acomb Alive and we would urge shops to get involved in Acomb Alive so we can present a united front."

Cllr Waller said Boyes' move into the area was a vote of confidence for Acomb.

He added: "There is investment being made in the area. Businesses are upgrading and investing, it's a positive sign for Acomb."