Shutting up shop in Jersey

Two independent shops in Jersey have become the latest victims of the shakey economy, with small shop owners saying they need more support if they are to survive.

Riva menswear store at West Centre in St Helier, closed over Christmas, and Earth, Wind and Water, on Halkett Street in Town, will close at the end of January.

Both stores have been trading in St Helier for decades.

The owner of surf shop Earth, Wind and Water decided to close the shop because he says business was 'no longer viable'. He says the footfall for shops in the centre of Jersey is just not sufficient to sustain small shops.

Other shop owners have told Channel Television they need more help from the States when it comes to issues like parking. They say that it is increasingly difficult for shoppers to reach some shops, and that parking is too far away and too expensive.

The number of shoppers in St Helier last year was down by 2.8%.