Jane Moore, in Regent Grove, shut its doors for the last time on Christmas Eve after seven years in the town.

Owner Jane Moore explained how the store and workshop, where she made and sold handmade necklaces and accessories, was no longer profitable.

She said: "It was just getting ridiculous. I was subsidising the shop. I gave in my notice in March as my lease was up. It was way before the credit crunch."

The Leamington resident believes independent traders should get more help from Warwick District Council.

She said: "It cost in excess of £35,000 a year just to run the shop without wages. That was for rent, rates, insurance and other things you need to run a business. It all adds up.

"I think there should have been more help from the district council."

Mrs Moore has been making her own jewellery for 30 years and believes building on the former Regent Street car park five years ago damaged her trade.

She added: "When I first came here, there was a car park nearby and we would get a lot of passing trade from visitors.

"I couldn't have asked for a better start.

"Then developers came into town in 2003 and used the car park as a site entrance and the area was like a building site for at least a year. "

Mrs Moore also believes the south of the town centre has become downmarket.

She added: "First Lee Longlands closed down, then they opened a pound shop opposite the town hall.

"There is the Depot and they have also opened a betting shop which I was very unhappy about.

"It is making that part of the town really downmarket and no one will want to go down there."

Although her shop has closed down, Mrs Moore will still be selling jewellery online.

Last week Warwick District Council announced plans to spend £30,000 helping those struggling during the credit crunch. The money will be used to provide advice and support for individuals and small businesses.