Two shops in a town centre are closing down and another could soon become a kebab shop.

Top Stitch and Yasmin's, both in Wallingford's High Street, will close within the next week and both owners say a lack of business is partly to blame.

And the owner of William Swan Butchers, in St Mary's Street - used by film star Michael Caine when he lived at North Stoke - claims staffing problems may lead him to sell the business, possibly as a kebab shop.

John Light, who has run Top Stitch in the town with his wife Rosemary for 16 years, said the craft and haberdashery business has recently been trading at a loss.

"We found the rent and rates too high, and there are just not enough people shopping in Wallingford any more," said Mr Light.

"We have still got reasonable trade but I am not prepared to pay more just to keep the rentman, taxman and ratesman going."

He thanked all his customers and said he hopes to get a new job shortly.

Two part-time staff work in the shop and Mr Light added that one would retire and the other hoped to get a new job.

The proprietor of Yasmin's, Yasmin Jamieson, said family commitments and poor trade made her decide to close the gift shop, which she said would become a shoe shop. She hopes to run a similar business from her Benson home.

"A majority of people don't have the money they used to, and some of my customers complain about not being able to park," she said. Mrs Jamieson, who has run Yasmin's for three years.

"We need more free parking."

Buther William Swan said, the proprietor of the butcher's says he has had a number of offers for his business, including a kebab business.

"I have had a few people that are interested but if I get a few staff, I probably won't sell it," said Mr Swan, who works at the shop with one member of staff.

"I have advertised for staff for 10 weeks and I haven't had any replies."

A planning application has been made to change the shop's use from a butcher's to food and drink, and Wallingford Town Councillors reacted angrily to the suggestion conversion of the shop into a kebab shop when they met on Monday.

They said the shop was an important part of the town and were worried about possible smells and litter.

Mr Swan denied there would be problems, saying there was already a food shop next door to the butcher's.

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