A NEW Forest firm hit by closure rumours has told customers: "It's business as usual."

Bosses at PC Building Supplies in Shore Road, Hythe, have hit back at suggestions that the firm is in danger of closing.

Rumours started flying after the district council voted to delete the "ugly and unappealing" premises from a conservation area.

Its decision to alter the conservation area boundary had been opposed by parish councillors.

They claimed that the building might be knocked down and replaced with something "far worse" if the site lost its special protection. Their warning sparked fears that the firm was shutting down.

But manager Tim Dunning has assured customers and potential clients that the long-established business is staying put.

He said: "We're not closing. Some people have gained the impression that developers are going to move in and knock us down, but that's simply not true."

A similar statement was issued by Mr Dunning's father, Bill, whose company Dibden Construction Ltd owns the building at the centre of the row.

He said: "We have built up over the past 30 years and have put a lot of hard work into the company.

"We are staying put."

Parish clerk Brian Beaven said: "We're not aware of any proposals to redevelop the site and hope it will continue with its present employment."

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