AN 'ICONIC' town centre shop is to close down following increasing pressure from online shopping.

Katy Duplock took on The Party Shop on Mold High Street seven years ago after it had already been successfully trading for more than a decade.

She said the shop thrived for quite some time but in recent years business has become more difficult due to a combination of factors - the main one being competition with the internet.

The Party Shop is now holding a half price sale ahead of its closure later this month.

The Leader:

Describing how she got started at the shop Miss Duplock, 42, said: "It was something I had never done before and I had to learn on the spot.

"There was a lot to learn. The previous owner gave me some training and I had to go on balloon courses.

"But it is not just about balloons. It's about knowing all your eras for the fancy dress and trying to run a business and manage staff as well - you have to know what you're doing."

She also runs a shop in Earl Road called Dawnsio Dance, which sells dance shoes and dance wear.

Describing the change in trade at The Party Shop, she explained: "When I first took over we needed at least two people in the shop, especially on market day.

The Leader:

"It was constantly busy. Then all of a sudden everything happened in Mold.

"There was the road works, parking charges, other roadworks and the credit crunch hit us.

"It was just a bit of everything and then you could see a change on the high street.

"The internet became more popular. It wasn't just the younger generation - everyone learned to use a laptop and buy on their phones.

The Leader:

"They would come into the shop and be comparing prices online. Then it was just a natural progression into the internet world."

Miss Duplock said she is very grateful for the support of her regulars and said the shop has customers from as far as Runcorn.

She continued: "It has been very difficult the last year. It has been a lot quieter and we have had to decrease our staff.

"Halloween is usually our big business and we have noticed a big change. We were still busy but they used to be queuing outside the doors.

The Leader:

"We became more of a backup shop if it didn't arrive in time from the internet.

"It's just sad, because it's a bit of an iconic shop. I'm going to carry on running the dance shop for now and I would like to expend on it."

The shop hosts paranormal investigations and Miss Duplock added she hopes the new owners will be mindful of the property's ghost Sarah by allowing the investigations to continue and keeping her legacy alive.

Lauren Ramsey, aged 25 and from Mold, has worked in the shop since she was 16.

She said: "It is sad to think that our generation especially do shop online - and I do it.

"But the more we do it the less shops we're going to have on the high street. I think in a few years or so we could just have cafes."

Miss Duplock said she has to move out of the property by January 31 but the shop may close sooner if the stock is sold.

The half price sale relates to costumes, accessories and party goods.

For more information visit the shop's Facebook page by searching for 'The Party Shop Mold North Wales'.