Double blow for Scunthorpe 'yet more sad news for the High Street' says MP Nic Dakin

A SCUNTHORPE town centre business has closed its doors and another faces closure.

The doors were locked at the Rizzoli Cafe and Deli in The Parishes on Monday.

And in a double blow to the town centre, the Textiles Direct store in The Foundry Shopping Centre is also in danger of closing after the chain went into administration.

Rizzoli, which opened in December 2011, employed five members of staff.

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Tony Pickering, centre manager at The Parishes, said: "We are aware that Rizzoli Cafe and Deli has closed, although we are not in a position to make any further comment at this time, as the matter is currently being dealt with by our legal team.

"We are actively pursuing all opportunities to relet as soon as possible.

"Over the past year the centre has welcomed new tenants 99p Stores and Fultons Foods, adding to its offer for shoppers."

Textiles Direct, which has 53 branches, supplies bedding, curtains and home furnishing.

Its Scunthorpe store was still trading as normal as the Telegraph went to press.

A member of staff there, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "It is so sad to hear we may close and we are all hoping for the best.

"The store has been here 10 years as we are well loved in Scunthorpe. One of our members of staff has been here for the duration of the 10 years.

"You become a family when you work together in such a small team so we are all very upset. We are a very close team.

"If the store closes it will leave another hole in the High Street and before long it might disappear altogether."

A spokeswoman for The Foundry said she was aware Textiles Direct had served notice to appoint an administration agent.

A spokesman for the company was unavailable for comment.

Scunthorpe MP Nic Dakin said: "This is yet more sad news for the High Street and like all high streets in the country, we are being challenged due to the way shopping habits have changed.

"This highlights the need for two hours free parking in the town centre as this is the incentive that the High Street needs."

A spokesman for campaign group Keep Scunthorpe Alive said: "It is very sad to see two more businesses could be closing in the town centre."