THE closure of 124-year-old furniture firm, Wesley Barrell, marked yet another low point in a difficult year for Oxfordshire stores.

The historic business, based in Ducklington, near Witney, closed its doors last Thursday and failed to pay its 60 remaining staff across the country.

This came just seven weeks after the company entered administration, blaming 'growing chaos' on the high street for its financial troubles.

Read again: Wesley Barrell ceases trading

Just two days later, another West Oxfordshire business, Keates of Witney, shut its menswear section after 107 years of trading in the town centre.

The company's men's formal hire and Blossom Bridal & Occasion Wear will remain open, but manager, David Ferriman, pointed to a lack of footfall.

He attributed the business's decline to the rise of online shopping, adding: “The business has survived two World Wars, three recessions and been beaten by the push of a button."

Read again: Keates of Witney closes menswear section

Several stores are facing an uncertain future, including the Oxford branch of Office Outlet on Park End Street.

Posters saying the store is closing down went up in the shop's windows two weeks ago, after the company went into administration.

Several Office Outlet stores are believed to be closing over the next two weeks, but one staff member revealed employees had been left in the dark.

Read again: Office Outlet to close - but when?

They said: “We don’t have a clue what’s going on.

“Unless the company gets a buyer we will still be closing, we just don’t know when.”

They added: “We’re doing alright sales-wise at the moment.”

Yo! Sushi is another national name to see its Oxford branch close in 2019, with its George Street restaurant shutting its doors on Valentine's Day.

Read again: The restaurant replacing Yo! Sushi

Meanwhile, music store Fopp, based across the road at Gloucester Green, closed in February after the HMV chain, which features Fopp, entered administration.

Canadian entrepreneur Doug Putman saved 100 stores, including several Fopp branches, when he bought the chain out of administration, but Fopp Oxford was axed.

Read again: Fopp closes despite rescue package

It came after another record store, Wallingford's Music Box, closed in January, following a 'significant drop' in footfall.

The popular store sold sold second-hand and new vinyl records, alongside reasonably priced record players.

It was the second time Richard Strange, who ran the store, had closed a record shop in the town, but the DJ revealed at the time he was considering giving it one more spin.

Read again: Music Box shuts after lack of footfall

He said: “I’ve been looking at one or two places in Didcot to open a new shop but I’m not sure about the timing yet."