DESIGNER fashion shop Mad Dog in South Street, Wellington, is to close at the end of April.

The shock announcement was made on Friday by proprietor Sally Hooper who opened the shop ten years ago.

In a statement to the WWN she said: “I’m sorry to announce that after ten years Mad Dog will cease trading as of April 30, 2019.

“There is no one single reason for closing and I have made this decision to coincide with the end of the lease on the property.

“I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to my loyal customers, many of whom I now count as good friends.”

Mrs Hooper admitted she had been ‘mulling’ over the idea of closing the shop since November.

She said: “I am 55 now and I don’t want to be working six days a week when I’m 60.”

She is married to former policeman Adrian and added: “It will be a lifestyle change for us. I still plan to work.’’

The couple have two grown up children, George, who plays rugby for Wellington, and is now in Australia, and Olivia who is at university.

Mrs Hooper says she is confident the landlord will find someone to take over the shop. “He is a decent guy and is a local person,” she said.

In the past Mad Dog has been the venue for tickets for the Welliestock Music Festival with queues often stretching right down the street.

Mayor of Wellington Cllr Gary James said Mad Dog’s impending closure was ‘very unfortunate’.

He added: “The shop has been a great addition to the town centre for the last ten years.

“None of the shops on the High Street seem to be immune with even big stores like Tesco announcing cutbacks this week.

“It will be sad to see another empty shop – but hopefully only for a short time.”