Another national brand has announced it is to shut a high street store – less than 18 months after a grand opening.

Closing down sale signs have gone up at Pavers in Canterbury, with the shop thought set to stop trading in September.

Formerly a Jones Bootmaker outlet, Pavers took over the company in 2018, and re-branded and re-launched the High Street store in Canterbury in January last year.

Pavers, which has 130 branches nationwide, had previously only had an outlet within the former Nasons department store.

Speaking about the opening at the time, area manager Shalim Miah said: “We are committed to providing quality footwear across all our brands, and are very pleased to reintroduce the Pavers brand to Canterbury city centre.

"We believe new and existing Pavers customers will love our focus on designing comfortable shoes without compromising on style.”

The closure is believed to be related to the ending of a lease on the site.

The biggest loss to the city in recent years has been the closure of both Debenhams and Nasons which has left a huge scar in the high street.

Both redevelopment schemes have been approved but work is yet to start on either.

A quarter of the city’s national chains have called it quits since 2019, including Dorothy Perkins, Burton, Beaverbrooks, Monsoon and Jack Wills

Recently KentOnline reported on the changing retail face of Canterbury with many national brands being replaced by more independent stores taking their place.

Lisa Carlson, boss of the Canterbury Business Improvement District, which works to support city retail and hospitality businesses, says she is encouraged by the rise of independent shops, but believes there needs to be a balance.

“It’s important we have national brands,” she said.

“People come to Fenwick or M&S or Boots but also for the overall experience and the indies are part of that mix.”

Pavers declined to comment when approached by KentOnline.