FASHION and jewellery retailer Monsoon Accessorize has announced it will be closing the doors of its Weymouth branch for good in January - leading to calls for greater government support for traders suffering amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The closure of the Bond Street store on Wednesday, January 5, is the latest devastating blow for the High Street.

The retailer’s exit is another hit for Weymouth town centre after Dorthy Perkins, Burtons and Debenhams all closed stores recently.

Dorset Echo: Sign inside Monsoon Accessorize Weymouth announcing its closure. Picture: Sam Machin

A sign has been put up inside the store which reads: “It's time to say goodbye to our friends in Weymouth.

"We have loved being part of this beautiful town but sadly we will be closing our doors for the last time on Wednesday January 5.

"Thank you for the support over the years. Team Weymouth."

The sign also said the nearest available branch will now be in Castlepoint shopping centre in Bournemouth, followed by another site further afield in Exeter.

Monsoon Accessorize previously shut 35 of its shops across the country in the summer of 2020 when the chain went into administration, with 545 staff made redundant at the time.

Weymouth BID, trading as We Are Weymouth, said they are sorry to see Monsoon leave the town and have called for greater support from the government to help struggling retailers who face another tough Christmas because of the threat of new restrictions and people being told by officials to minimise their social contact.

Dawn Rondeau, We Are Weymouth manager, said: "We are very sad to see Monsoon Accessorize leave Weymouth, but we are well aware of the pressures that the pandemic has put on retailers and the wider business community.

“We are dedicated to supporting the business community in Weymouth and are working to increase footfall throughout the year and are also working with partners to press the government to provide much needed support during these challenging times."

Weymouth Town councillor Tia Roos, who represents the Melcombe Regis ward, said: "It’s sad to see any business close although Monsoon and Accessorize are commercial companies. We can only hope that another business will take its place. It would be great to see more small local businesses but then Covid-19 and costs to pay on properties such as these are crushing. "

A spokesperson for Weymouth Town Council also said: “The ongoing situation with the pandemic has proved to be a challenge for high streets up and down the country. As a council, we will work with the business community and other partners to look for new, innovative ways to support our town centre.”

Monsoon Accessorize has been contacted for comment on the closure. It is unknown how many jobs will be lost.