A FASHION outlet which opened in town three months ago has decided to discontinue trading after its temporary lease ended, pointing to bad market conditions.

Utopia opened in the Chantry Centre in November under a short-term lease for the Christmas period, but has cited “not enough footfall” as the key reason to shut for good and not renew its stay.

The store sought to bring affordable fashion to Andover and within its first week of opening, owner Remzi Hayat was pleased with the initial reaction.

But the London-based businessman’s opinion changed after spending around three weeks open for business.

He said: “We couldn’t get any results from this town. There’s not enough footfall, that age group probably go to Basingstoke shopping rather than Andover.

“We are not a big brand or anything we get some opportunities, we try, we are an independent retailer.

“After three weeks one month we know what is the first reaction, it gives you all you can get from the town.”

Mr Hayat added the lack of footfall is not only a problem in Andover as the entrepreneur tries out shopping destinations for new ventures.

Chantry Centre manager Steve Cotney however said the shopping arcade as a whole had good reports and “traded well” over the Christmas period.

The retail boss also hinted at possible new tenants coming to the town, but could not comment further due to ongoing negotiations.

Mr Cotney added: “We are always trying to be as flexible as we can to meet the needs of small and big retailers, that is the aim of the game now making it as flexible as possible to enable anyone the opportunity to come in.”