A high street store has blamed the redevelopment of Braintree for its move to the outskirts of town.

Furniture seller Glasswells is looking to sell its High Street store due to a fall in business.

A spokesman for the company said the drop in sales had been caused by the remodelling of Braintree town centre.

"The main reason we are moving is because of the destruction of the town centre.

"High Street has been made a no through way zone to most vehicles and then there is George Yard shopping precinct. Before all of these things, our business was doing very well.

"But now there are less pedestrians coming down the High Street and this has had a big effect on us."

He added the company would not be leaving Braintree completely, but was looking to relocate to the outskirts of town.

"This isn't the end for Glasswells in Braintree, but it does seem that we will have to move to the outskirts of town.

"We are looking for a location that is perhaps a bit more accessible to customers and this will be hopefully somewhere we can offer better facilities such as parking.

George Yard manager Derek Salmon said: "With the redevelopment of Braintree, there has been a change in the town centre which has altered foot fall.

"There is very little town centre parking and the multi-storey car park means people get to the shops through a different route.

"But I think it is unfair to blame George Yard, which has helped to bring many new names to Braintree."

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