WALLINGFORD'S historic department store Pettits will no longer trade from its original site in St Mary's Street, it has emerged.

The store closed in March 2015 so the ground floor could be refurbished, with nine flats built on the upper floor and a number of Pettits pop-up shops were created around the town centre.

The initial plan was for the department store to reopen on the ground floor only, selling menswear and lingerie.

But a decision has now been taken not to reopen on site, marking the end of an era for the store which dates back to 1856.

Pettits finance manager, Jane Blackstone, said: "This is a new era for Pettits and it's an exciting one.

"Perhaps we will get some complaints but we have to try to move with the times and I'm pleased the owner wants to put money into Pettits and keep it here for the people of Wallingford.

"The decision has been made not to reopen the ground floor of the old building but to undergo an exciting redevelopment of new and existing shops in the town."

Ms Blackstone, who has worked for Pettits since 2003, said there would be no further redundancies as a result of the latest changes and added that additional staff could be taken on.

She said Pettits owner Richard Rowse had taken the decision not to reopen on site 'over a period of time.

Long-serving store manager Kevin Willis is now the manager of Champions hardware store in St Mary's Street, also owned by Mr Rowse.

A total refurbishment is now planned for Pettits' menswear shop on St Martin's Street and work is due to start in the new ladies fashions shop at 35 St Martins Street, to open early in 2018.

The current lingerie shop in St Mary's Arcade will also remain open and will be refurbished, selling top brands including Pretty Polly, Charnos and Sloggi.

A two-week clearance sale will start at 35 St Martin’s Street on Friday.

Mr Blackstone added: "With restructuring of the Petitts brand we are looking to provide an exciting retail shopping experience to Wallingford, coinciding with the expansion of the housing in the area.

"Pettits are looking forward to welcoming returning customers and those new to the area."

The finance manager said the flats have now been completed but it was not yet known what the ground-floor space in St Mary's Street would be used for.

Pettits was opened in 1856 by William Pettit. The store stayed in the Pettit family until 1987, when it was sold to the Rowse family.