The worsening economic climate is forcing the closure of a decorating and home furnishings store.

Fads, in Broadway, Sheerness, will shut with the loss of four jobs, one full–time and three part–time. It is expected that the store will close in September.

A spokesman from the Cheshire head office, said: “We are in negotiations with two other retailers to take over the lease and we will try to accommodate the staff within the group.

“When we had first opened the new store in Sheerness four years ago after an absence of a couple of years, we hoped that we could have traded successfully, but the credit crunch and stagnant housing market have hit turnover dramatically.

“Coupled with this, the new Tesco store has added a DIY section which has had a further negative effect on our fortunes.

“I cannot say when exactly when the store will shut due to the negotiations.”