A market town's High Street has suffered a blow after a shop closed down after 26 years following its "worst Christmas ever". Ruby Moon, in Castle Street, High Wycombe, closed for good on Sunday (April 20).

The gift shop's owners, Matt and Claire Moon, confirmed the closure in a post on Facebook, telling supporters: "After 26 unforgettable years, today Ruby Moon opens its doors for the very last time. This final day is bittersweet. "We’re filled with gratitude for the support, love, and community you've given us over the years. You've helped make Ruby Moon more than just a shop—you’ve made it a home, a haven, and a heartbeat of High Wycombe’s alternative scene."

The owners told Bucks Free Press in February that the decision to close wasn't made lightly, but the impact of the cost-of-living, a burglary in November and their "worst Christmas on record" led the husband and wife to decide to cease trading.

Ruby Moon is one of the latest shops to close amid a crisis on Britain's High Streets. The rapid growth of online retailing, the Covid pandemic, high inflation, and a rise in the number of people working from home have all made trading tougher for bricks and mortar stores in the past few years.

The Centre for Retail Research forecasts that more than 17,000 shops will close this year, leading to over 200,000 job losses.

Total store closures recorded by the Centre last year amount to 13,649, with total job losses, including announced cuts to a company's full and part-time workforce, of 172,485.

In 2023, there were over 10,000 store closures across UK High Streets, according to a House of Lords report published in November.

The report found that while shopping will still be a major feature, the dominance of retail on the High Street "is something of the past".

It suggested there is now more demand and opportunities for eateries and leisure activities as well as public services such as libraries opening in town centres.

The report called on councils, communities and local businesses to team up to create more resilient High Streets. It also recommended making sure High Streets can be reached by car, along with enough parking spaces and better public transport links.

Mr Moon put his business's demise down to online competition, telling Bucks Free Press Ruby Moon didn't break even over the all-important festive season until Christmas Day.

He told the publication: "That’s why we have had a shop full of stock, as Christmas was a huge letdown this year."

Mary Scott said: "These are the places that make the town, these are the people in your neighbourhood. It’s a sad sign of the times."