THE shutters are set to come down on two family-run businesses after a total of 61 years’ trading.

Hardware store Stroll In, in Market Place, Abingdon, closes this week with the loss of four jobs, after 25 years in the town.

And Astley’s electrical store is shutting up shop after 36 years in Wallingford.

Stroll In’s co-owner Chris Baker, 59, said: “It is very disappointing. It has been a good shop for a long time but we are struggling.

“The economy is very, very tough.

“All the smaller businesses are having it hard, and we are no exception.

“We used to be on our own in Abingdon but now there are three other similar stores.”

His son Mark, 40, who manages the shop, said of everything-for-a pound shops, two of which have opened in the town: “You just cannot compete with them. Their buying power is immense.”

Shopper Jean Caudle, 71, from Drayton, said: “It is a shame as they are independent and have always offered a good service for many years.

“It is a shame people are deserting them as it is a bit cheaper round the corner.”

Lucy Mockley, also 71, of Abingdon said: “A lot of people will be disappointed. A lot of pensioners go there.”

Heather Brown, manager of Choose Abingdon Partnership, which is working to attract shoppers, said: “It will be missed hugely. It is a lovely shop and the people in there know exactly what they have on every shelf.”

Bosses at Wallingford Market Place electrical shop Astley’s said they could not compete with online and chain retailers.

Five people will lose their jobs when the shop closes at the end of next month.

Owner Gareth Astley, 56, said: “The business was started on April 20, 1975, as a hi-fi and record shop, and has seen all the technological changes, from vinyl to CD and from cathode ray televison, to plasma, LCD, and now LED TV.

“It’s very sad for the shop, the staff and the town, but pressure from online music downloads, online Internet purchasing, and manufacturers’ lack of support for small independent retailers has forced the closure.

“The cold weather meant we had a bad Christmas and after the VAT increase we had to say enough is enough.”

The shop’s employees include Mr Astley’s wife Deborah and Julian Howes, who has worked there for nearly 30 years.