A GREENGROCER felt he had no choice but to shut up shop, saying Colchester’s town centre’s future is bleak.

Humphreys, in Eld Lane, closed after 58 years.

John Humphreys, who has been at the helm for 44 years, said business is very depressing for independent traders.

Mr Humphreys said: “We are suffering and we aren’t getting any help.

“What happens to the town is a big responsibility for Colchester Council and it doesn’t do anything.

“The whole Cultural Quarter has buildings that have been sitting there for years and years, and our area seems to be slipping more than most.”

“I don’t want to play the blame game, I just want something to get moving and lift the traders.

“There is no light at the end of the tunnel, there needs to be more action and less talk.”

Mr Humphreys’ took over the business from his father.

He had up to eight members of staff at its peak, but the number has fallen due to a change in shopping trends.

He said: “I’m saddened as two long-term staff have been made redundant, they have been very loyal to me.

“I am now 60 and it’s a lot of work.”

Neighbouring businesses expressed their sadness at the loss of a long-serving independent store.

Neil Dobson, who runs Jacqueline’s Tea Rooms in Short Wyre Street, said: “It is a huge loss and it’s another independent trader that is not in our street any more.

“Hopefully it won’t impact people too much but he looked after all of us really well.”

Carol Eke, who runs Ralph and Rita Martin florists in Eld Lane, said: “It will be sorely missed, I knew he would always be there if ever we needed anything.

“He was really lovely and it’s very sad, what is there to come to Colchester for now?”

Independent traders in Eld Lane fear bigger developments will put them in a bad position, including the Tollgate Village and Northern Gateway out-of-town proposals, and the Vineyard Gate plans.

Emma Read, who works at Darcy’s Traditional Sweet Shoppe, said: “The new developments will have an impact. Eld Lane is looking bad as it is.

“If the council lowered the rates for the spaces it may help people stay or even move into the town.”

A Colchester Council spokesman said the authority has only ever been on good terms with Mr Humphreys and it was saddened to learn he has stopped trading in Eld Lane.