A men’s designer store launched in Wolverhampton city centre just five months ago has become the latest victim of the recession.

Without Prejudice @ Clays, in Queen Street,  has closed down due to financial problems with the loss of four jobs. Today its devastated owner, Stein Claybrooke, told how he shut a successful branch in Shifnal to plough all his resources into the Wolverhampton venture.

“It was a huge mistake,” the 39-year-old admitted.

“We closed that store to concentrate on the new, larger premises in the city.

“If I hadn’t moved to Wolverhampton the store in Shifnal would have been fine.”

Without Prejudice @ Clays sold expensive clothing brands such as Marlboro Classics and Merc clothing.

The shop opening in April brought life to a unit next to Bank that had lain vacant for more than a year.

Mr Claybrooke said the city store struggled to get off the ground.

“We couldn’t afford to stay open any more. There was not enough money being spent in it.”

“I’m bitterly disappointed because it took years of hard work. My hat goes off to any independent retailer surviving these troubled times.”

Mr Claybrooke said he would be signing on at the Jobcentre.

The business joins a growing list of stores to be lost in Wolverhampton in recent times, including Woolworths and Oasis in Dudley Street, and Barratts and Dorothy Perkins in the Mander Centre.