THE Forest's only department store is set to close this summer after being told to quit by their landlords.

Bosses at Beales say they must be out of their High Street premises by the end of July.

Around 20 staff were informed they would lose their jobs because of the shock closure.

Beales came to Cinderford when the company took over 19 Westgate stores from the Anglia Regional Co-operative Society in May 2011.

But Anglia Regional only rent the Cinderford building from the Midcounties Co-operative Society and that lease is up in September.

Talks between Beales and Midcounties have broken down and Anglia have asked them to move by July 31 so they can carry out repairs before handing the keys back.

Cinderford mayor Max Coborn said: "What are the Co-op trying to do, kill the town?

"They have got Beales in and then thrown them out at a time when we need to keep as many jobs as possible.

Read The Forester for the full story.