WARRENS Bakery in High Street, Wellington, is one of 20 shops in the South-West which has been closed by the company, blaming ‘Brexit uncertainty and fickle consumers’.

The 160-year-old firm, which employs 500 people and has about 70 managed or franchised stores, has predicted significant job losses. The company is popular for its Cornish pasties.

Wellington has experienced other shop closures in the past few weeks. Bladez hairdressers in the centre of the town was the first to go, along with Escott & Wright, blind and curtain makers, in South Street, and Bridal by P.O.S.H. in the High Street. In addition The Sandwich Stop will be closing after Christmas blaming ‘bad market conditions’.

Earlier this year Mad Dog in South Street shut while One Stop, which housed the Post Office, closed in the High Street – right beside Bridal by P.O.S.H. The old E J Teare premises in South Street is looking worse for wear, having been empty for more than two years.

The former King’s Arms is also looking a mess and is unlikely to re-open as a pub with The Iron Duke right opposite.