Glyn Davies, Conservative MP for Montgomeryshire, has described the closure of Shop Direct in Newtown as a sad day for the town, both from an economic and a historic standpoint. Shop Direct employed 180 people when its closure was announced a year ago, and despite a determined search for a buyer, has decided to close the doors of its operation in Newtown today(Friday). Commenting on the factory closure Glyn Davies said; "The loss of 180 jobs is a huge blow to a town the size of Newtown. Unfortunately, consumer shopping habits have changed dramatically in the direction of online shopping, which inevitably has an impact on businesses involved in mail order. Great efforts have been made by the unions, the Assembly Government, and Newtown's Mayor over the last year but sadly, no buyer has been found. "The loss of a mail order business from this location is a particular sadness because of its link with one of the greatest 'sons of Newtown', Sir Pryce Pryce-Jones. He was a local draper, who developed his business into a worldwide phenomenon through being the first to use mail order on a large scale. Newtown supplied the great ladies of the world, including Queen Victoria and Lily Langtree with their clothes. There has been a mail order business operating from the purpose-built Royal Welsh Warehouse (PJ's) since it was opened in 1879. "Today's closure highlights that Mid Wales needs more attention from the Assembly Government. Newtown, and all of Central Wales, West of Newtown is suffering economically from the horrendous traffic problems caused by the traffic lights system in the town. Newtown needs an early start on building the Newtown Bypass to bring hope and confidence to the region. I hope the loss of 180 jobs will bring home to the Assembly Government the urgency and importance of delivering the new bypass.