A retailer is set to close its doors after almost two decades on the high street.

Shoe Zone, in Maldon High Street, will shut up shop by the end of the month and relocate to the Blackwater Retail Centre in the summer.

The shop, which was originally a Stead and Simpson, was bought out by the retailer more than a decade ago.

Bosses say high business rents and a changing retail market have forced the move.

Manager Paul Bax, 38, has worked in the building for more than 16 years and lives in Victoria Road – a two- minute walk from work.

He said the Shoe Zone has been there for 12 years but the new business got off to a shaky start.

Mr Bax said: “I have been here 16 years.

"I started working my way up from four hours a day to manager.

“We then got bought out by Shoe Zone.

"They had a five-year plan but it didn’t work because of the recession and other things.

“For a time, we were half Shoe Zone and half Stead and Simpson but it just didn’t work.

“They will be moving the store to the Blackwater Retail Centre.

"The difference will be that, in our ‘big box’ stores, we will stock other brands such as Sketchers and Hush Puppies along with our in-store brand.”

The High street store’s last trading day will be Thursday, May 30 and bosses hope to open the new store on Friday, June 14.

While all the staff will be moved down to the new store, Paul will be relocated to the ‘big box’ Shoe Zone in Colchester.

When speaking about the future of high street trade, Mr Bax was not hopeful.

He said: “To be honest, the high street is dying for so many different reasons with things like retail parks and the internet.

“It’s all the little bits which take away trade from the high street which add up.

“My partner works in another part of the high street and when she heard of this place closing, she said it was another thing which is pulling people away.

“With the Emporium going too, this bottom half of the high street is really going to suffer.”

But Paul says there is interest from other businesses which could move into the building, including a restaurant and an optician.