The closure of a popular Ashby shop has been described as a 'great loss for the town'.

Dean & Smedley Beauty in Market Street is to shut after more than 20 years in the town centre.

It means the site - the former Owen Jones chemist - could now lie empty, in the short-term at least.

The business made the announcement on its Facebook page today (Tuesday).

Ashby de la Zouch Town Council has confirmed it means the shop will become vacant.

It was once home to the Dean & Smedley Pharmacy, but that has been based at the Castle Medical Group health centre in Burton Road for almost four years.

There is the possibility that the Market Street site could host two separate shops now, due to the design of the building.

In fact, that used to be the case at this site.

Ashby Council's Town Centre manager Stuart Benson said: "It's a great loss for the town and I hope that the staff are offered other positions within the Dean & Smedley company."

A spokesperson for the shop told Ashby Nub News: "For a number of reasons the business is sadly no longer viable."

The shop's social media post reads: "After over 20 years at Market Street, Ashby, we are sorry to announce that this business will close in April this year.

"We have enjoyed every moment of our time running this business, helping customers with their beauty purchases and treatments. "We want to thank all of you loyal customers for your custom over the years.

"We aren't closing until the middle of April, so there is still plenty of time to purchase favourite perfume, trusty moisturiser or have that much needed facial.

"Please pop in to see us, our staff will be more than happy to help.

"If you have a Clarins For Me Card, then this will need redeeming before we close.

"Also if you have a voucher to spend, please make sure that you spend this too. Vouchers will still be valid at our salon in Woodville and all Dean & Smedley Pharmacies." However, the company says it is not going out of business completely. It adds:

"Our salon in Woodville is not closing so you can book any treatments you want, our staff would happily help you with this. "We are currently holding a 20 per cent closing down sale (excluding certain brands). Thank you again for your support."

A number of shops in Ashby closed down during and after the lockdowns of the past two years. But some new businesses have opened in the town centre and thrived, included Mmacaron, Indulgent Chocolates and Ashby Toolbox who moved into the Peacocks site in Market Street.