A high-profile Ashby business owner says that rents are not the only reason for so many shops closing down in the town centre - and blames a lack of footfall instead.

Keith Tiplady runs Indulgent Chocolates in Bath Street and has this month revamped his premises to encourage more people to sit down and sample the high quality food and drink on offer.

But he maintains that Ashby residents are not making full use of the town - despite calls for people to 'shop local'.

Ashby's Business Investment District has raised the profile of the town over the past year.

But a number of businesses have announced they are moving out - the latest being Souk La Zouch which said last week it would be closing in February.

Other shops to close include the Mmacaron cafe, Pennies Worth, Dean & Smedley and Subway.

Indulgent Chocolates has added more seating to its Bath Street shop

Three banks have also closed with Domino's Pizza now in place at the site once occupied by Santander Bank.

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But, while some have left due to rental costs, Keith says more people need to come into the town centre.

He told Ashby Nub News: "The rent hadn't gone up for us or Mmacaron - and we opened within months of each other.

"But the difference is the dramatic drop in footfall from the year before.

"Maybe more people took the opportunity to go away in the year following Covid.

"But it also coincided with the war in Ukraine, an increase in energy prices and the fact that people have had less spare money in their pockets.

"Maybe some have the mindset of buying online, but without them walking into the high street, in years to come you might not have the shops you moved to Ashby for.

"We need people's support now so that we have a thriving high street when people do have more money to spend.

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"The more people shop local, the more we can get back to the town centre we know and love.

"There are banks closing down, but my personal opinion is that people are using them less.

"But when it comes to shops, we still need the visual sight of the busy town centre - and it's a different type of service.

"Customers can come and and ask for a personalised item or ask questions."

Keith recognises that there is concern about the long term future of Ashby's town centre.

He added: "What we have here is declining, and we want to keep it the way we want it to be.

"Yet more people are moving here - and one of the reasons is the range of shops in Ashby.

"We've lost a few good shops now, Mmacaron was a great place."

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Keith says he has been pro-active in trying to make sure his business does not stand still.

Keith Tiplady runs Indulgent Chocolates in Ashby de la Zouch

New tables, seating and the invitation to come and stay a while are all part of the plans to keep Indulgent Chocolates in people's minds - and can recommend the hot chocolate with marshmallows by the way.

As well as that, Keith will be hosting children's parties and - possibly - hen parties this year.

He is also making time for the corporate side of his business and already has one eye on preparing bespoke gift packs in time for Valentine's Day next month.

Keith added: "It helps us improve our visibility on the street - we don't want to be a cafe.

"But if you want to meet here, try out some of our cakes and Prosecco - you can't do that everywhere - then you can enjoy the environment in less of a shop approach and and see what we do."