TWO independent businesses are shutting up shop in York city centre.

Love Thy Interiors is closing its York store on Little Stonegate on Saturday, February 2 after three years in the city.

A post on their Facebook page says the decision was taken with 'a heavy heart', but they have decided not to renew their lease and will concentrate on their Thirsk store.

Meanwhile hairdressers Geoffrey Stuart, which has been in business for 42 years, closed suddenly earlier this month with a notice on their door simply stating they won't be reopening.

Set up by Geoffrey Holmes and Stuart Cuthbert the salon on Swinegate, went from humble beginnings in South Yorkshire to the glamour of 1970s Tokyo and London, and eventually to York.

Geoffrey retired in 2004, when he left the running of the business to Stuart and his daughter, Jessica.

The Press reported that Mr Holmes died in 2013 aged 68 and at the time Mr Cuthbert said: “He dressed hair for the touring Rocky Horror Show and was part of the Royal Tour in May 1975 when the Queen visited Japan.”

As previously reported this weekend Crabtree and Evelyn on nearby Stonegate is also closuing next month.

The Crabtree & Evelyn closure is just the latest blow for the city centre. The Press has reported in recent weeks that other shops set to close include Hambleton Furniture in Walmgate, where the owner is retiring, and craft shop the York Makery in Gillygate, whose owner has cited high rate and rent concerns among other issues.