BASINGSTOKE’S only music store is set to close its doors for the last time this Saturday.

Dawsons Music shop, in Festival Place, will close, citing changes in how retail shopping is done.

The store has been the home of music in the town for decades and has been somewhere where many local musicians have purchased their first instrument.

The doors will close at the end of trading today.

Store manager Jamie Venning said: “It is a shame that it has come to this as it is going to affect a lot of people in Basingstoke.

“It is disappointing as we had such a successful year last year, but in the grand scheme of things our contribution to the company wasn’t reflecting on the direction things are going.”

Mr Venning added: “I can remember coming in the store when I was in college, so it is sad to see it close down.”

The three members of staff working at the store will be made redundant as a result of the closure.

Since opening, Dawsons has been a big part of the community, most recently leasing a keyboard to the Market Chambers Performers Together (MCPT) group based at the Top of the Town.

Founding member of Market Chambers Performers Together, Hannah Williams, said: “It is devastating news for the team at Dawsons in Festival Place that Basingstoke’s only dedicated music shop is to close on Saturday.

“We are especially upset at MCPT because with Four Lanes Trust, Dawsons helped us to get the project off the ground proving that as a business they were very conscious of putting something back into the community.”

MCPT is now looking to buy the leased keyboard outright but is appealing for sponsors to help the volunteer-run group.

Managing director of Dawsons Music, Mark Taylor, added: “It’s been a very difficult decision to close our store in Basingstoke, which was not taken lightly.

“We are sad to be forced into this but retail has changed from local community-based shops to an Internet based environment. Consumers are seeking lower prices at a time when retailer’s costs are increasing at a faster rate. We’d like to take this opportunity to thank our regular customers and staff for their support over many years and wish them all the very best."