A FAMILIAR name on Ely’s Market Place is set to relocate to new premises because of the changing way people in the city are shopping.

3Q Sports supplies a range of customised clothing to sports clubs, businesses and schools and has been an ever-present fixture at the top of Fore Hill since 2001 when it was opened by Stephen Reid and David Braybrooke.

In recent years there has been increasing demand from corporate and sports customers for its products and embroidery services but a drop in visitors to its Market Place store so the owners have made the decision to close the shop and relocate to Chettisham Business Park from February.

A spokesman said: “Due to the expansion of the teamwear side of the business we have outgrown the present site. This combined with the decline in the retail side of the business due to increased online shopping and high street competition with the major high street sports chains we have made the decision to pull out of retail and focus on solely teamwear which is 80 per cent of our business.

“Unfortunately the decline in Ely as a shopping town has slowly deteriorated with many shops closing each year and many people choosing the likes of Cambridge and Peterborough which offer more choice to do their shopping.

“The on-going parking issues have also caused us problems as well as the increasing business rates the council impose each year and their lack of support for local businesses has made our decision to relocate very easy.”

INFO: For further details on contact the business on 01353 663333.