THE CITY centre's only pet shop will close its doors for the last time today after nearly 70 years in Oxford's Covered Market.

High rents, high business rates, the Westgate redevelopment and the emergence of two Pets at Home supermarkets on the outskirts of the city have led to Price's Pet Supplies closing down.

The Covered Market unit has been a pet shop since 1947 when it was opened as Levett's Pet Shop.

Yvonne Winters, who has owned the shop with her sister Jean Reeve, since 2004 said it was a very sad decision to have to make.

She said: "We have some fantastic memories and have met some wonderful people and it's incredibly sad to have to shut the shop.

"When our rents went up 16.5 per cent four years ago we knew it would be tough and with the threat of another increase next year we can't keep the business going.

The 66-year-old from Barton said things had become markedly worse since the Westgate redevelopment started in January.

She said: "Ultimately it's because of the lack of footfall – and it has got worse since the start of this year.

"It seems people have stopped coming into the city centre.

"The emergence of Pets at Home in Botley and Cowley hasn't helped either, as people now tend to drive there and do larger shops rather than coming to us."

Mrs Winters said the shop had remained popular over the years but that its best seller, pet food, provided its lowest profits.

She said the shop had become a meeting place and point of contact for the city's pet owning community.

She said: "It has not only been a pet shop; it has also been a hub for pet owners.

"People come in and have a cup of tea and a chat, and occasionally, when their pets have passed away, they come for support."

In 2012 Oxford City Council proposed to increase rents by up to 70 per cent but it was met by a backlash from traders.

After a protracted saga involving an arbitrator, an offer of a 16 per cent rent increase with a deal on back payments was accepted by all but four traders.

Sandie Griffith, who owns Jemini Flowers and is secretary of the Covered Market Traders’ Association, said similar pressures were being felt by most traders.

She said: "I think everyone feels the same and is experiencing the same problems.

"The traders in The Covered Market rely a lot on passers-by but we have a decreased footfall and the leases are up for renewal soon which creates more uncertainty."

"We are all very sad to hear that the pet shop is closing. It has been here for so many years and has been enjoyed by so many people."

Florence Levett, who also owned a florist's store, set up the shop in 1947 and ran it for nearly 50 years.

Following her death, aged 98, in 2002, she left the leases of both shops to Helen and Douglas House which enabled the charity to set up its first shop, which has stood in the market ever since.

Oxford City Council declined to comment.