A JOKE shop is preparing to leave Witney after 15 years – with the owners saying the town is simply not as fun as it used to be.

The Laughing Stock will have its last hurrah in the middle of March after a decline in the number of customers coupled with a rise in costs led the owners to move the business online.

Colin Brown, who has run the shop with Kevin Rose since 2002, said Witney had become more conservative over the years and had lost its ‘party town’ status since a number of bars and clubs closed.

Mr Brown, of Carterton, said: “Witney is not as fun as it used to be. Dressing up and going to pubs is something that just isn’t happening anymore.

“It was a party town and we’ve always thrived on that but it’s definitely more conservative now.

“We were always excited with all the events but they’ve deteriorated over time and there doesn’t seem to be any anymore.”

Mr Brown and Mr Rose had no experience in retail when they opened The Laughing Stock, in Langdale Gate, using their background as a cabaret act to help them establish the business.

Selling fancy dress, accessories, hats, wigs, balloons and party goods, the shop became popular among partygoers in the area – particularly around Halloween and Christmas.

The store hit the headlines in 2015 when members of the public contacted the police to complain about a Halloween window display with dismembered and bleeding porcelain dolls.

The pair expressed shock over the call and no action was taken.

Mr Brown said the closure of nightclubs and venues in recent years – including iZi, the Palace and Langdale Hall – had contributed to the shop’s decline in footfall.

This, coupled with rising costs, influenced Mr Brown and Mr Rose’s decision to move the business fully online.

Rent for the shop was set to increase by 12 per cent in March, which along with an anticipated rise in business rates in April deterred the pair from signing a new lease.

Mr Brown added: “Costs are spiralling for an independent business in a town centre. It’s tough for small businesses. I’ve spoken to other business owners and they seem to be talking along the same lines. It just so happened that our lease ran out.”

The Laughing Stock’s post on Facebook announcing its closure received more than 100 comments.

Many customers expressed their sadness that the shop would leave the town and commended the owners for their work over the past 15 years.

As things stand, the shop is due to close in the middle of March, with no exact date currently available.

The business will continue online and will introduce a click and collect service from its warehouse in Carterton.