THERE are to be changes in Liskeard's Fore Street soon, with comings and goings to alter the complexion of the town's main shopping area.

Stokes Greengrocers, a nationwide chain which has been in Liskeard for about 18 months and employs two full time and nine part time staff locally, is to pull out after the lease comes up for renewal in January 2001.

A head office spokesman said the company does not recognise Liskeard as a town whose trade will expand in the future. It is believed, however, a local fruiterers may move into the premises.

Scallywags children's clothing store, which Vera Doney opened at its present premises 15 years ago, is to close. She has supplied children's clothing, and school uniforms, but will retire in November.

Willow Moon gift shop, owned by Debbie Abbott, is leaving Fore Street, but staying in town. Debbie said she is in the final stages of purchasing the building housing Baytree Arts and Crafts. She hopes to convert the former gun shop on the building's first floor into a craft workshop.

Knot Sure, owned by Jacky Pare-Cottrell, which opened last winter, is to pull out in September. The owner said she wished to expand to include a coffee shop and the sale of rugs and organic products to her giftware. However, her present premises are too small to expand and she has been unable to find alternative accommodation large enough in town. She is therefore moving the business to Launceston.

Former jewellers Ham and Huddy remains for sale, as does the former fishmongers run by the late Jim Sullivan.

Rural Surf has closed down in Market Street after less than six months of trading.

Andrew Solomon, of Solomons furniture store, was disappointed to hear of those leaving Fore Street. He said: 'We do very well, but we are a well established business which has traded here for many years. Business rates make it difficult for a lot of traders, and I also feel the key to regeneration in Liskeard would be the provision of free parking.'