THERE was shock and dismay this week when another high street shop announced it would be closing its doors.

A spokesperson for Argos told the Ross Gazette: "We will not be renewing the lease on our store at The Maltings in Ross-on-Wye as we have been unable to find a viable relocation site nearby. The store will therefore close on Friday 20th July 2012.

They continued: "Argos is doing all it can to identify alternative employment for affected employees.

"Customers will be able to shop at nearby Argos stores located on Maylord Street in Hereford and St Oswalds Retail Park in Gloucester, which offers the full product range and longer opening hours for customer convenience."

News of the closure on the Gazette facebook page reached an all-time high of over 5,000 people.

People have been left asking, why? "As any shopping centre knows," said one reader, "the overall composition is key, and you do need a few 'anchors'. Supermarkets are fine, but other categories are needed, especially in the home essentials arena."

"Yes, it is the nationals that are deserting the high streets," said Cllr Caroline Utting. "This is happening across the country, not just in Ross. We are lucky to have so many independent retailers who stick it out through the bad times. If you want the big names you will have to go to the cities and big shopping centres as they will be the only places where the multiples are able to make enough money to justify the costs of having a shop. Ross isn't rubbish it is a beautiful, quirky and unique town."

Workers at the Argos store in the town were unavailable to comment.