A furniture store in a Suffolk town is set to close down due to a higher demand for online shopping.

Glasswells Discount Furniture Outlet in North Street, Sudbury, is expected to close next month ahead of a major redevelopment. 

The project, which is due to commence in May, will see the shop transformed into a smaller retail space, with four flats on the first floor. 

The decision comes after Barclays announced it would be closing its Sudbury branch later this year. 

Paul Glasswells, managing director of the store which has been in the town since 2017, said: “We have seen large business leave busy towns and it is the smaller independent businesses which are taking their place, with living accommodations on the higher levels.

"This is something we have thought about for a while and I believe it is the best decision for our shop in Sudbury.

"People are purchasing more online rather than in person, therefore it is vital we use the space to our advantage.

"Over the next few months, we are looking forward to seeing the progress made and are excited to welcome our Sudbury customers into our larger showrooms in Bury St Edmunds and Ipswich, which feature the latest styles of high-quality furnishings and value for money.”

Planning permission has recently been approved for this change and will see the 6,000 sq. ft overall capacity converted into a 3000 sq. ft. retail outlet on the ground, with four flats above. The project is estimated to last around nine months and the substantial work involves reroofing the property and installing acoustic privacy.

Before any building work commences, Glasswells is selling every last item of current stock at drastically low prices; that’s every sofa and chair, dining table, wardrobe, bed, mattress and other items of furniture on display, with express local delivery available.