JUST a matter of a few weeks after Crediton Town Council were cheered because there was only one empty shop in Crediton High Street, more businesses have now closed or are due to close.

While new shops and businesses generally continue to replace those which go, the latest to close or announce they are to close are two long-established family businesses.

Evans Travel closed yesterday, Thursday, March 28, after 30 years as the town's travel agency.

Paul Evans, who founded the business with his wife, Marion, explained: "I am retiring and unfortunately the business is now not saleable because people are booking directly through the internet.

"Helen Harvey-Johnson has worked here for the past seven years but her 37 years' worth of experience in the holiday business will go, along with her job.

"It is a shame as a lot of people have relied on our services and we are so grateful to those who have supported us over the years.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank them all."

Mr Evans (69) said that there were very few travel agencies which offered the range of holidays he had been able to as they did not just sell one company's holidays.

He added that people had a perception that the internet was cheaper but in reality this was likely to be incorrect.

Mr Evans closed his other branch of the travel agency in Bovey Tracey a few years ago but at one stage also ran the popular newsagents, Evans News, in addition, the newsagency having been started by his father.

High business rates, the lull in business in January and February and the internet were all factors which Mr Evans attributed to the decision to close.

The other long-established family business which is due to close at the end of April or in May is Phillips (Print and Stationery) Ltd, which has been on Crediton High Street since the 1930s.

Mr Horace Turner purchased the company in 1958 and his son Ken took over the business in 1975, running it with his wife, Tina, until his death in May 2009.

Tina and Glenn have run the company ever since with a complement of dedicated staff.

They said there were "several factors" for the decision to close the business.

Tina explained: "January and February were 'dire' trading months and I turn 70 in April.

"I wanted to retire and Glenn would like to see more of his family, not less, if he were to continue the business without me.

Glenn added: "We have faced increasing technology issues and to continue to provide the service customers would expect we would have had to invest massively into new technology which could also have required moving into new, larger, premises.

"We did not feel this expense could be justified.

"The decision was not taken lightly and we considered the decision for a month before making up our minds.

Another business which closed this week was Crediton Stores, at the former Costcutter premises at 135 High Street, Crediton.

Julia Knight, who ran the business with her partner, Peter Knight, said that poor trading since Christmas had resulted in the closure.

Crediton Stores opened just before Christmas in 2011.

Meanwhile, McMillan Williams Solicitors will be opening its doors at the former Maynews shop in Crediton High Street in the very near future.

Some businesses are struggling through some hard times and Central Devon MP Mel Sride has been helping with advice and support to some businesses.

Last week he visited Roem Clothing, clothes shop, at 103 High Street, Crediton, which is run by Ross Anderson and Emma Lucas.

Ross said that he found the first few months of trading difficult and hoped there would soon be an up-turn in business.

Another new business which will open in the town in the Creedy Centre on April 13 is R and G Barbership and Shaving Parlour.