THORNTONS will close one of its two Swindon branches next week.

This will be the latest in a series of shops shutting in the town centre.

Many Adver readers reacted to the announcement on our Facebook page and website.

CAROL PAPWORTH: “Soon we won’t have anything left.”

DAVID KING: “To be fair though, who shops in Thorntons? I never see anyone in there apart from when people get free ice creams from O2 Priority.”

DANIEL ADAMS: “Swindon town centre has a lower-than-average rate of empty shops compared to the rest of the country. Just worth pointing out.”

MARCUS WILKINS: “Funny how Swindon Borough Council were angry at Morrisons for pulling out of Regent Circus and were having talks with them to try and stop them, yet town centre shops are closing weekly at the moment and nothing from SBC.”

RICH MUSGROVE: “Many people complain about the lack of shops and the concerns that more are closing or leaving the area. The same people think nothing of ordering from Amazon.

“Personally, I’ll continue to order online and not worry about shops closing in town.”

SHARON HEMSON: “It’s going to be like a ghost town with all these shops closing down.”

JON-PAUL CHAMBERS: “Swindon needs low rents, free parking, independent shops, buskers and nice eateries. To save the headache, I would rather just shop online.”

KAREN COLE: “They are taking shops out of the town centre and making outlets on the outskirts of Swindon.”

TOM WHITE: “Always wondered why Thornton’s never made the change to online retail sooner.

"You can buy their chocolate in most shops these days, so it’s no wonder they’re having to close down their stores.

"They still have the one in the outlet so it’s not all doom and gloom.”

CARL HANSON: "People don't shop in town any more, times change. People shop online and at retail parks, there's easier parking and you don't get hassled by charity workers."

LEE COLLIE: "The only time you see people shopping there is Easter time, but look at the selection Tesco and Asda have to name a few."

'I LOVE THIS TOWN, HONEST': "Will the last person to leave Swindon town centre please check the lights are all off and the door is locked."

'WE NEED CHANGE NOW': "The success or failure of a town or shopping centre anywhere is driven by the consumer.

"If no one uses the shops and facilities, no one will open a shop there so if a shop closes, it is as much about the consumer not using it as it is the fault of the council.

"Retail in general is dying, it doesn't matter how wonderful the town centre experience is, if they can buy it cheaper on Amazon and have it delivered to their door instead of lugging it home in their car or public transport then they will.

"Swindon town centre is drawing its last breath and should have a do no resuscitate notice hanging above it as there is no point in wasting money on a dead duck."

'BLACKMALKIN': "Until they sort out the aggressive drunks and find the homeless somewhere other than the car parks to sleep, the town centre will be very unwelcoming."

'LETSGO1': What will be left to go into town for? Time for a push for it to be turned into a residential area."

'BUCKETLIPS CLIO': "Some good points made by many but make no mistake this is not just Swindon's problem.

"I visited reading for a change last week, same issues. The internet is killing our town centres but it's not exclusive to Swindon so stop knocking it every time somewhere closes."