TWO firms that run village shops in Downton and Alderbury have closed down less than a year after opening.

The companies behind Taylor's Simply Fresh in Downton and Alderbury Village Stores have gone into voluntary liquidation after suffering "fairly large financial losses".

Alderbury Village Stores has since re-opened under new management as Sue's Walk In Local, meaning staff will be kept on.

Posting on Facebook, boss Megan Taylor said the decision to close had been taken "with huge sadness and a heavy heart".

She said: "We have fought very hard, against the odds, to continue to trade through difficulties which occurred.

"Our main focus was to preserve these shops, which have been a labour of love, for the future and to ensure that our staff maintained their jobs.

"We have had a lot of unfortunate experiences along the way, as many of you know, but I refuse to be bitter."

Taylor's Simply Fresh Downton is reportedly "closed but in tact" and waiting for a new tenant.

Megan described it as "a fantastic opportunity" for someone and thanked her committed staff and customers for their support.

She said: "I have had so many very moving emails and messages from customers, telling us to be proud of what we achieved and the difference it has made to life in their village.

"I take great comfort in knowing that it was worth it for that alone.

"We've made fairly large financial losses, but it is only money and it can be earned again in time."

She spoke of her grief a losing "her dream" and said she was "heartbroken but very philosophical".

"We have learned an enormous amount and I feel very grateful to have had this experience," she said.

Now Megan says her main aim is to "ensure the smooth transition of both businesses to their new operators and to preserve that legacy".

"I'm afraid in business, some you win and some you lose," she said.

"I know we have given this dream our best shot and I am very proud of the lovely shops we leave behind and the relationships with all the small producers which we supported.

"We have created something bigger than us and I'm happy to hand it over for someone else to benefit.

"Now, I'm looking forward to a good rest and to enjoy the summer at home with my beloved children and animals, after 18 months of very hard work.

"Whilst it may feel like the world is crashing down around my ears, nobody has died and we are all together and safe, that is all that matters to me."