Former mayor Mike Rodger will close his Desmoulin art gallery on October 31 and say his final goodbyes to Newbury before starting a new life in Carlisle.

The decision to move comes after tough trading conditions in the arts and crafts world, along with recent upheaval caused by roadworks.

“Realism has triumphed over optimism”, he told newbury.net today.

Mr Rodger was town mayor twice, for the Millennium celebrations and two years ago. He was also Leader of Newbury Town Council for three years, and is currently vice chairman of West Berkshire Council.

Last year, he caused controversy by quitting the Liberal Democrats to go independent, and said this week that he had been saddened by the performance of his former Lib Dem colleagues at WBC, who he said were campaigning to win the next election, instead of doing what’s best for Newbury.

His town and district council seats won’t come up before December, so a by-election won’t be held, as there are full council elections next May.

Mike Rodger, 56, is originally from the Scottish Borders, and spent time in Edinburgh before coming to Newbury. He will move to Carlisle, where he has a house “twice the size for half the price”, with his wife, tax solicitor Amanda.

Outside of politics, Mr Rodger said he was most pleased to have launched the Newbury Mosaic, where 4000 local people helped put together, and which was funded entirely from local support.

Secondly, he remarked that he was pleased to have reunited the lions with the statue of Queen Victoria in Victoria Park.