AN independent music shop is set to close after more than 40 years in Colchester.

Allegro Music’s manager Jon Scott said the shop’s grotty surroundings in St Botolph’s Street have done trade no favours.

The shop’s last day of trading will be Sunday, October 12.

Mr Scott, 42, who has worked at the premises since he left school aged 16, said: “Ultimately this town is struggling for people to come into it, from a retail point of view. Our street is not the nicest and has got a lot worse since I have been here.

“If you asked most people, and a lot of our older customers, the town has changed and is less inviting.”

Mr Scott also said parking costs had not encouraged shoppers.

The premises first became a music shop in the late Sixties when it was known as Hodges and Johnson. Mr Scott joined it after leaving school and a year later it was taken over by Music Land.

Mr Scott went on to become shop manager before Allegro Music moved from St John’s Street to St Botolph’s Street 13 years ago.

He managed the shop and worked with its only other employee, Steve French.

Mr Scott said: “Up until more recently it was a general music store and in its heyday used to sell records as well, but we became more specialised in keyed instruments.”

Allegro Music’s shops in Chelmsford and Westcliff will continue to trade and provide lessons.