SHOPPERS have been frozen out of Swindon’s Disney Store after the branch closed down over the weekend.

And visitors to the shop, in Canal Walk, are now greeted by a notice informing them they will be welcome to make their purchases in the closest remaining Disney shops – in Milton Keynes or Cardiff.

The firm said the decision to close the shop was taken after an evaluation of the brand’s outlets and said they could also still make purchases online.

“We constantly evaluate our Disney Stores to ensure we able to provide the most magical experiences for our guests,” said a UK spokesman for Disney Stores.

“As a result, we are creating new Disney destinations with various retail partners but also closing some existing stores, including Swindon. “We highly value our Disney Store guests and we look forward to welcoming them in our other Disney Stores across the UK and online at disneystore.co.uk.”

However, town shoppers on the Swindon Advertiser website said they were disappointed by the move, another blow to the town after previous closures such as Phones 4U, which neighboured the former Disney Store.

User, Ebeef123, wrote: “I rarely go shopping in town now. I will go to Asda Orbital to get what I need or the outlet village as both are much nicer than the town centre.

“Plus, the outlet is undercover which is a big draw with a better choice of food outlets.”

Rubbercement said he preferred to travel when shopping.

“They told me that new concessions will be opening within bigger department stores, but I doubt that will happen.

“As for the town centre, it’s not big enough for the town it has to cater for. Much prefer Bristol, Cheltenham, and Reading.”

There is good news on the horizon for town centre shoppers however, with a new flagship H&M store set to open in the nearby Parade development.

The clothing firm has submitted plans to Swindon Borough Council for signage on the new store, believed to be a 25,000 sq ft outlet.