RESIDENTS of Winchester have voiced their concerns over the upcoming closure of another major retailer.

As previously reported, Halfords, which specialises in car and bike items and care, in Winnall, will cease trading on Friday, July 5.

Staff are being offered positions at other Halfords stores, with the closest locations being in Eastleigh, Andover and Basingstoke.

Winchester residents have expressed dismay at the closure of the shop in the Moorside Road Retail Park.

READ MORE: Winchester Halfords shop set to close doors for good

Dave Courtney, 63, of Fivefields Road, Highcliffe, said: “At the end of the day, it is a handy store and the next closest one to us is in Eastleigh or Basingstoke.

Dave CourtneyDave Courtney (Image: Chris Atkinson)

“I think it should stay here, or we won’t have anything here. It is really handy, but they keep shutting all these shops.”

David Bourne, 59, of Jewry Street, called the closure “a shame”.

David BourneDavid Bourne (Image: Chris Atkinson)

He said: “A lot of people are not capable of doing the maintenance of their cars or bikes, and the shop helps with that.

“It is a shame to see them shutting because it has been there a long time and a lot of people are employed there. It will be sad to see it empty.”

Frank Sanderson, 79, of St Cross Road, said: “We are losing everything.

Frank SandersonFrank Sanderson (Image: Chris Atkinson)

SEE ALSO: Letter: 'Level of apathy is somewhat scary'

“We really need to keep it. Shops are closing everywhere and everything is going on the internet. I don’t like to shop on the internet, as I like to see things in person and make sure of the quality.

“When you get something from the internet by post, it is more than likely not the same quality or even the same colour of what you thought you were getting. People do not want that.”

Kim Marczak, 64, of Water Lane, said: “People do not want it to close. It is like when all the pharmacies closed – it’s the same thing.”

Kim MarczakKim Marczak (Image: Chris Atkinson)

Winchester City Council portfolio holder for Business and Culture, Cllr Lucille Thompson, was contacted for comment on the departure of another retail store.

Winchester Business Improvement District declined to comment saying the Halfords store was outside its area.