Shops go and third struggles in centre

Two shops in Kidderminster town centre are to close with the loss of about nine jobs.

And another six jobs have been placed in jeopardy after administrators were appointed for another shop in the town.

Tchibo, owned by a German group, is closing the doors on its store at the entrance to the Rowland Hill Shopping Centre and five staff will lose their jobs.

Tchibo announced a few months ago it was scaling down operations in Britain.

Beaubelles and Cafe Finesse in Worcester Street in Kidderminster has also announced it is to shut.

Owner Mr Jitu Desai has blamed the credit crunch and lack of footfall for the proposed closure of the store, which employs four staff.

Meanwhile Diamonds & Pearls Ltd, in Kidderminster's Rowland HIll Centre, has closed and a note on the window says it has gone into administration.