A TRADER in Penarth has described the frustration he saw as staff at Shaws lost their jobs.

After 106 years, the drapers ceasing trading just two days before Christmas on December 23.

Staff were left devasted at the height of the festive season

When the Penarth Times popped by the store in Penarth’s Glebe Street, lights were off  and empty shelves were are all that was is left.

Louis Mostert, who manages the butchers next door to the former Shaws, said staff were visibly upset and felt like they had been left in the dark after owner Philip Shaw made the critical decision, saying the business was no longer viable.

Staff at the store feared the worse when they were told to slash prices and clear stock by Christmas, with no new stock ordered to the company’s warehouses.

See the video of the empty shelves at Penarth's Shaws below

Online there has been an outpouring of sadness at the news and well-wishes for the staff in Penarth.

Many are disbelieving that the store, which has been in the town for well over two decades, is closing. One person commented, “No way!! I only said to my husband the other day when we went up Penarth, everything has changed but at least Shaws is still there.”

Another said, “So sad. One of my mum’s fave shops, and the ladies are lovely in there.”

Penarth Times:

(Butcher Louis Mostert, who manages the butchers next door, said staff in Penarth felt left in the dark)

About 150 staff are believed to be affected, with Shaws having 15 stores in Wales.

It’s another blow to Penarth’s high street with fashion retailer M&Co, which has a store on Windsor Road, announcing they had collapsed into administration.

Did you work at the Shaws in Penarth? Did you use the store and what do you remember of it? Let us know in comments or email penarthtimes@penarthtimes.co.uk