THE state of Barrow town centre has been deemed 'just sad' after a discount store announced its closure.

Steals swung open its doors in Portland Walk at the end of January but bosses have revealed it is closing its doors less than three months after opening.

The discount clothing store sells an array of clothes, shoes and accessories.

However, less than three months since the shop opened its doors, the town centre store is now closing down.

Charlie Spencer, a town centre shopper, said: "The town is awful; it's rubbish.

"Everything is closing down now, it seems that nowhere can manage.

"It's just sad."

It has been suggested that the decline of town centres in the country is down to a wholesale move by consumers to online shopping.

But Ms Spencer says that she still uses the high street - just in different towns.

She said: "I go to Lancaster, Blackpool, or Preston.

"If you want a Primark or a River Island then it's just no good here.

"We go to different towns to shop."

Steals is offering all items for just £2 in order to clear out its inventory before the closure.

A spokeswoman for the shop confirmed that the store is shutting due to rising costs and the unprofitability of the Portland Walk location.

Staff inside the shop said they had been treated well by the company throughout. They said customers had suggested that the location meant there was less likelihood of people walking through the doors compared to neighbouring Dalton Road.

They also mentioned ease of access - and free parking - on the retail parks just outside the town centre as a reason people prefer to shop there.