ER Aubrey is the latest store set to shut its doors in St. George's as a result of the economic downturn, The Royal Gazette has learned.

The jewellers, which also has shops in Hamilton and Dockyard, will be closing its East York Street branch for good at the end of February.

The store, which was opened in 2004, had enjoyed some good times during its five years in business, but the decision was taken to shut it due to the recession, which has hit the Island and particularly the town hard.

ER Aubrey's vice-president and managing director Linda Adderley said only one employee had chosen to leave, and the other staff would be moved to other parts of the company. She said it was an opportunity to consolidate the business.

Gosling's Ltd.'s St. George's store closed its doors for the last time at the end of last year due to lack of business, particularly from visitors, having started its business in Water Street more than 200 years ago before moving to Hamilton, prior to setting up in the town again, this time at the site of The George & Dragon on the main square, and finally relocating to York Street.

Carole Holding Ltd. also made the decision to shut up shop in St. George's, with its store on the main square closing in November 2008, mainly as a result of the number of cruise ships visiting the town being cut from two down to one.

Most recently Makin' Waves closed earlier this year, due to a combined drop in sales and cruise ship arrivals, while The Carriage House has also shut indefinitely because of economic difficulties.

The Ample Hamper, based at St. George's Club, will also be closing down at the end of this month, with a lack of customers cited as the main reason, and The Country Inn has been boarded up for almost four years now.

Triminghams and Smith's were two of the biggest name departures from the town in the past decade.