Embattled high street retailer House of Fraser’s Cirencester store has finally closed.

The stricken retailer opened and closed its doors to shoppers for the final time on Saturday, January 5.

House of Fraser announced the store closure in June last year, along with 30 other of its 59 branches across the UK, in an effort to keep the business going as part of a company voluntary arrangement .

Hopes had been raised that some of these stores, including Cirencester, could face a reprieve following the announcement in August that Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct had agreed to buy the House of Fraser department store chain for £90m.

However, he was unable to save the Cirencester branch from closure.

The store had been preparing for its closure since October, when staff were notified of its closure and a massive 20 per cent off sale.

It is not yet known who will take over the House of Fraser site, which occupies a prime position in the heart of Cirencester.

Discount store B&M have already denied opening a store on the site this year after rumours started to circulate.

A spokesperson said: “Never say never but we have never done a House of Fraser before.”

Cotswold District Council have confirmed from the owners of the site that there is an intention to re-let the store for retail use in the future.