FOR decades it had ensured partygoers had just the right outfit for any occasion.

But now the party looks to be over for a popular fancy dress firm as bosses have begun closing down the Just for Fun chain of shops in Hampshire.

Directors have begun to move the company into liquidation with the loss of around 40 jobs.

Two stores in Queen’s Way, Southampton and Upper Brook Street, Winchester have already closed. Staff at a third at Hedge End Trade Park said it would be closing within weeks after it staged a closing down sale.

The firm has also stopped taking any more orders for costume hire or purchase on its website.

The family run and owned firm, which was established 38 years ago, had grown into a thriving business with the three branches and an increasingly popular worldwide mail order department run from a Hedge End despatch centre. It offered nearly 10,000 individual items to buy online.

The company offered a one-stop shop for all manner of fancy dress costumes and accessories and even sold a range of outfits for dogs.

But company directors and founders, brothers Geoff and Peter Richards, said the “dire economic climate” was to blame for the closure and having taken advice had decided to move the company into voluntary trading.

A spokesman said: “After 38 years of successful trading, both Geoff and Peter would like to thank all of their loyal staff and customers over the years. They are, unfortunately another victim of the dire economic climate.”

The finances of the firm will be laid bare to creditors at a meeting on March 7 when they will be asked to agree to put the company into voluntary liquidation.

The brothers have appointed London based Accura Accountants Business Recovery Turnaround