A FAMILY-run Hereford business is preparing to close its doors for good next month.

Hereford Furniture, based on Staniers Way, will cease trading at the end of June to make way for Listers Land Rover Hereford.

The business has been based at the site since 2006 but made the decision to sell the site to Listers, following the dealership's offer, after a disappointing two years.

Alan Reilly, joint owner of Hereford Furniture, said: "I think the sad reality is wooden furniture production is a product far more suitable for so called emerging economies. "Production costs in the UK coupled with environmental issues, coupled with work tempo – in my view it's no longer really a product for the mass market. It's no longer a suitable product for the UK industry."

Listers, a family business, currently has a franchised Land Rover and Range Rover retail site in Much Cowarne but the move will bring it closer to the city.

The new dealership will double in capacity and will also service Jaguar products with the possibility of becoming a dual-branded site in the future.

Hereford Furniture featured in the BBC Two programme Digby Jones: The New Troubleshooter last year when Lord Digby Jones offered advice to help the company grow.

However it did not prove to be a success for the business.

Hereford Furniture currently employs around 18 people and Mr Reilly added that staff who have already left have been successful in finding employment.

Mark Blood, who has worked in the retail part of the store for four years, added: "It is a shame – we have got a good product and a good team of people and it's sad to see it go."

Mr Reilly said that any orders placed would be safeguarded.

There will be a closing down sale from tomorrow (Friday, May 1) at Hereford Furniture.