One of Frome's longest-trading garden centres will close in September, becoming another victim of the recession.

The Pluss Garden Centre, on Manor Road, which is jointly run by Somerset County Council and Pluss, a subsidiary of the council, has been in the town for 18 years and employs six people with learning difficulties.

The council said the centre was no longer financially viable and has been affected by the opening of a new garden centre in the area.

One man who has links with the centre said he was disgusted with the council's decision.

He said: "Six disabled people will lose their jobs, just because the council has run it into the ground."

The man has contacted Frome MP David Heath but said he had heard nothing back.

He added: "It can't close – too many people will be affected."

A spokeswoman for the council said: "It is with regret that Pluss is announcing the closure of the Frome Garden Centre by the end of September.

"The centre has provided valuable employment opportunities for people with disabilities over many years. However, the business is not financially viable and unfortunately can no longer be sustained.

"The situation has been made worse by the current difficult economic climate and the opening of a large competitor which is part of a major retail chain.

"The company has, therefore, reluctantly decided that we can more effectively use the investment that is currently put into this service.

"Pluss is committed to finding suitable alternatives for the six staff affected and we will be working closely with them over the coming months, with potential opportunities already identified for three."