A cheese shop has announced its imminent closure.

Cheese to Please in the Market Hall on The Shambles will close for good within the week.

Owner Karren Watson has been left crushed by the decision, which was brought on due to the cost-of-living crisis.

“It’s absolutely devastating but it’s the cost of living,” she said.

“It is a worrying time for the high street.

“If you look out on The Shambles now, you can see how many shops there are to let."

Worcester News: Rising costs and a change in shopping habits have lead to the closureRising costs and a change in shopping habits have lead to the closure (Image: Newsquest)

Mrs Watson’s husband, Phillip, runs the butchers next door to Cheese to Please and has done for the last 28 years.

The couple took over the fromagerie many years ago when the previous owner retired but had to sell up.

Eventually, it found its way back to them and Mrs Watson has been running the business for the past four Christmases.

She explained that rising costs and a change in shopping habits have caused issues for the industry.

“I could be stood here during the week and get two customers a day, which is just not feasible,” said Mrs Watson.

“Yes it gets busy at Christmas, I won’t deny that, but throughout the rest of the year it’s murder.

“People are using supermarkets all the time and everybody’s shopping online because it’s so convenient.”

Worcester News: The shop will close for good next SaturdayThe shop will close for good next Saturday (Image: Newsquest)

On rising costs, Mrs Watson added: “My electricity bills are £650 now, up from about £250.

“Eight or nine months ago you could go into most shops and buy four pints of milk for a pound, now you’re talking almost double that.

“So if that’s happened to milk then you can imagine what’s happened to cheese.

“Before this (cost-of-living crisis) all kicked in, I was taking X amount a week and I’m still taking that same amount but now all my bills have gone up and it’s not cost-effective.”

The shop will close for good on Saturday, January 21, unless stock runs out before then, with all cheeses now 20 per cent off.

Worcester News: All the cheeses are 20 per cent off until it closesAll the cheeses are 20 per cent off until it closes (Image: Newsquest)