Ford's of Oakham department store is to close after more than 140 years in business.

The last official day of trading will be August 31, or until stocks last.

The store opened in 1877 when it was originally a furniture maker and funeral directors, before gradually expanding and adding departments to become the county's only independent department store.

But while the department store will close, the original family funeral director business will remain, with a new office set to open at the front of the current Ford's building in Church Street later this summer.

Funeral director Richard White, whose family has run the business since it launched, said: "We know the people of Rutland will be sad to see Ford's Department Store close its doors but the family business will still be very much at the heart of the county and we will continue to serve as independent funeral directors, as we have done for generations."

The majority of the Church Street building will be rented out and Ford's Funeral Directors will have an office on the ground floor, separate from the remaining retail space.

The closure announcement comes less than three months after Ford's of Oakham staged an official relaunch and unveiled a new layout.

Photo: Courtesy of Ford's of Oakham