BARKERS of Farnham has become the latest local retailer to close down amid public concerns over empty shops on the town’s high street.

The upmarket shop, which specialises in products for dogs, this week announced it will be closing its doors for the final time on Sunday, January 28, while the chain’s six other branches nationwide are also set to close.

In a Facebook post the company described its “great sadness” at leaving the community. It said: “As you can imagine, the decision was not an easy one and certainly not one we have taken lightly, but due to a number of factors we have to say goodbye.”

The shop thanked its customers for a “wonderful experience” in the town. Spa customers were advised that alternative appointments can be arranged at the shop’s sister grooming salon The Groom Room, which is located in Pets at Home in Farnham.

The loss of Barkers will lead to another empty retail unit in the town centre after a flurry of closures over the festive period. Benefit and Kitchen Kapers were two of the recent victims, while Argos is set to relocate to Sainsbury’s South Street, vacating its West Street premises of 34 years.

A spokesperson for the supermarket warned: “We will be closing our Farnham store at the end of February so we can complete works on the new Argos and install new refrigeration units in the supermarket.”

Another loss to local business is The Mahaan Indian restaurant in East Street, which ceased trading on Christmas Eve, blaming a hike in rents and drop-off in trade following the closure of The Marlborough Head pub.

Owner Ashiq-ul-Islam opened the restaurant in 2008 and ran a successful family business for almost 10 years alongside The Bengal Lounge in Wrecclesham and, prior to its closure, Banaras in Downing Street.

However, he said the last six months have proved increasingly tough for his curry house, and with The Mahaan’s lease up for renewal he took the hard decision to call it a day.

“It’s so quiet at this end of town now after the closure of the pub and The Woolmead, and there’s so much uncertainty about when the East Street development is going ahead. When our rent went up it became just too hard to carry on,” he said.

“I’d like to thank all our customers for their support over the years, and would like them to know they’re always welcome at our other restaurant, The Bengal Lounge.”

Locals have voiced concern about the growing number of empty shops in Farnham, with some referring to it as a “ghost town”. One Facebook user also criticised the expansion of chains in the town centre, saying: “Farnham should be proud of its uniqueness rather than try to be like all its neighbours.”

Many point to high rent and rates as the major threat to local businesses. But the rise in internet shopping is also to blame for the slump in high street shopping, as traditional retailers are unable to keep up with their online rivals. A survey conducted by Statista revealed that 41 per cent of people in the UK intended to do their Christmas shopping online in 2017.

January has also become a difficult time for retailers, as Black Friday and Cyber Monday, two pre-Christmas sales imported from the US, have detracted from the more traditional January sales. Combined with the decline of in-store purchases, this new trend signals a difficult start to the year for local stores.

Four thousand square feet of retail space in The Woolmead has sat empty since November, when businesses were vacated in preparation for the redevelopment of the site. The current building, which is now owned by The Berkeley Group, will be demolished this summer - subject to planning permission - and replaced by a mixture of shops, restaurants and flats.

Despite the unease, the town’s commercial lettings agents remain optimistic about the condition of the market. Matthew Seary, associate director at Curchod & Co in Farnham, played down concerns about empty retail units in the town centre, saying that most are under offer.

Speaking to The Herald, he said 2-3 West Street, formerly Elphicks Bed Store, is under offer from a large upmarket chain that will “fit neatly into the desirable bracket”. It is also understood that one of the businesses displaced by The Woolmead development will move into the former location of Clinton Cards in The Borough.

Another Farnham lettings agent described the current climate as a “funny old time”. He added: “Everyone wants to see Farnham thriving.”

And while online shopping may be on the rise, some people remain loyal to traditional high street shopping. One Farnham resident commented: “I love to support small business. I hate buying online as I prefer to see the product before buying.”

Vacant shops in Farnham:

• 2-3 West Street - formerly Elphicks Bed Store.

• 13 East Street - formerly The Mahaan.

• 6-8 South Street - formerly Kitchen Kapers.

• Farnham Boutique, The Borough - formerly Benefit.

• 4 The Borough - formerly Maison Blanc.

• 24 The Borough - formerly Office First.

• 18-19 The Borough - formerly Clinton Cards.

• Lion & Lamb Yard - formerly Jones Bootmaker.

• Lion & Lamb Yard - formerly Imbibros.

• The Woolmead, East Street.