Gabriel's 10 shops are off the market

THE former Gabriel's shops are no longer for sale.

A year ago today the family-run business closed and the premises were put on the market.

But the Gabriel family has now decided to withdraw the 10 shops from sale.

Brian Gabriel, who was a director of the business, said the family had come to the decision as the property market had begun to fall.

'We are looking at other plans,' he said. 'We will be seeking advice and then, once we have had some, we will have a clearer idea of what we will do.'

He said that the family had many ideas as to what it could do with the buildings. 'Some are sensible and some aren't, but the buildings will remain for retail purposes. The other floors may not.'