A city centre boutique has become the latest Oxford independent businesses to be hit by the financial crises.

Lolapoloza, which sold accessories and also housed a small art gallery, closed its doors in Blue Boar Street, blaming spiralling overheads and a drop in trade.

Neil and Sandy McCredie, who owned and ran the shop which sold gloves, hats, scarves and belts from around the world, said times had been tough.

Mr McCredie added: “We have suffered three years of roadworks, building works and high rents.

“It has been a difficult decision to make, and if the business had been more successful obviously we would have stayed.”

Mr McCredie said the shop’s tucked-away location, just off St Aldate’s, had not helped business.

He also blamed rent increases for forcing the decision to close on them.

He said: “I don’t want to point the finger at the council, but there is more it could do to help the small independents.

“Oxford isn’t a shopping friendly place.

“There are far too many buses around the city centre, and it is not an easy place to walk around so it doesn’t really encourage shoppers.”

Since the shop opened three years ago it has also become a popular venue for Oxford’s art and music scene and the couple let students and independent artists put on exhibitions for free in an upstairs gallery.

Music photographer Marc West held an exhibition of his work – First Three, No Flash – at the gallery in July, including stills of Oxford bands Supergrass and Borderline.

Oxford-based band The Epstein played at the exhibition’s opening night.

Mr West said: “Lolapaloza Gallery has been a fabulous outlet for creative talent in Oxford for many years now. “They've cultivated a real artistic community, but without any pretension and always with a focus on making it available to everyone.”

Mr and Mrs McCredie will continue to sell their goods from their home in Long Crendon, near Thame, and at pre-arranged private parties.

awilliams@oxfordmail.co.uk