THE owner of a much loved sweet shop in Calne has spoken of the 'utter nightmare' that has led to her decision to close the shop for good.
Karen Grant has owned The Bear and Pear Shop in Calne for 14 years.
Originally sited in Wood Street before moving to the High Street in 2017 and finally to the former off-licence on the opposite side of the road - in what should have been a prime position for the shop.
However, in July the council advised Karen that they had been notified there would be building work carried out on the building and they were concerned there would be an impact on the business.
When Karen approached her landlord's secretary, she was told that they felt it was 'the right time to carry out the works as it would be her quiet time'.
She was advised that the scaffolding and works around the shop front would be completed in 7 days. In reality the works took 6 weeks to complete, during which time, she was unable to put her tables and chairs out due to scaffolding and health and safety measures.
Karen told us: "On numerous occasions my shop front was blocked off, the builders and scaffolders told my customers I was closed. I had two near misses of plaster and rubble falling, missing my head by millimetres."
"My landlord refused to give me a rent free period for loss of income or any compensation so I exercised my break clause in my lease as I felt he had no consideration to a long-standing reputable business that’s been in the town for 14 years!
"It’s been an utter nightmare - a hard decision to make as the shop was my dream shop."
Whilst this is the end of the road for the Bear and Pear sweet shop, Karen continues to sell sweets, party bags, sweet bouquets and hampers, gift jars and bespoke sweet trees online - you can find out more by visiting : https://www.facebook.com/thesweetshopcreations
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