ANOTHER business in Salisbury has closed its doors this week, adding to the list of independent and chain stores that have already shut down this year.

Blinkers, in Cross Keys Shopping Centre, failed to open Monday morning, as clients and passers-by were greeted with a sign in the window confirming the salon’s closure.

The sign gave no explanation for the closure, but advised the nearest salon was in Southampton.

Regis UK, which owned Blinkers, entered administration in October, leaving more than 220 salons at risk.

In this same week Whittard of Chelsea, the specialist tea and tableware shop along Butcher Row, has also announced its closure, and will be closing around January 18.

The team has been told this is because of “rents and rates”.

In response to the latest closure, leader of Salisbury City Council Jeremy Nettle said that the High Street is changing as “we selfishly purchase goods from the internet”, adding that shoppers are “driven away from the high street towards out-of-town shopping centres, which have become the new location of choice for furniture and electrical retailers”.

He added: “These out-of-town developments are often blamed for the decline of the high street, offering consumers cheap parking and a wider choice than our city centre shops.”

Businesses that have already closed this year across the city include Shoon, Real Eating Company, The York Roast Co., Patisserie Valerie, Richmond Classics and Ingrams of Salisbury Ltd.

The Salisbury branch of Topshop and Topman has also been earmarked to close as part of Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia Group’s rescue plan to tackle footfall, reflecting consumer habits and online shopping.

The city’s Marks and Spencer has been labelled at risk of closure as a result of falling sales figures nationally, and there has been speculation around department store Debenhams closing, as it entered administration earlier this year.

The city council is striving to prevent further empty sites through pop-up shops, like the recently opened Shop 36 on High Street, and is aiding the city through community projects, a new British cafe culture and promoting the city experience post 5pm.

Councillor Nettle added: “Salisbury City Council wants to see, while we are waiting for our empty shops to be re-let, and provide opportunities for local entrepreneurs, artists and artisans’ pop ups. We are proud of the number of independent shops in the city as well as our national and international brands that make shopping in Salisbury very special.

“Now is the time, through the High Street Bid, that Wiltshire Council and Salisbury City Council are preparing to revamp our dwindling high street so we can offer something special to ensure visitors stay for more than a few hours. Once we achieve this then we will get shoppers back into high-quality independent shops and boutiques.”

Salisbury Business Improvement District (BID) has been approached for comment.