THE rise of the Internet has been partly blamed for the closure of a music shop which has been in Banbury town centre for 13 years.

Stargoat Sound & Lighting is to shut on September 15 and move to an out-of-town business park from October 1.

Owner Paul Cox said he would focus more on online sales at the new unit and open on Saturdays only.

The shop has been in Church Lane since 1999 and will move to Cherwell Business Village at the former Alcan aluminium factory.

Mr Cox said: “I wasn’t able to keep up with my bills or pay myself for four months running.

“There is no choice about it. If you are not paying yourself, it is not a job.If you are working six, seven days a week, it is not a hobby.”

He said: “A lot of people have gone online, I have seen a big drop-off in my customer base.

“It is changing times, you have to go with the flow.” Castle Quay parking and the loss of spaces to flats in Southam Road, opposite the law courts, had also hit trade, he said.

Mr Cox said of parking: “That is rumbling in the background but the fact is the recession has slowed people down and the Internet takes a bit more every year.”

Business leaders have called for Cherwell District Council to scrap charges at its car parks amid fears trade will be taken away by out-of-town developments.

A retail park scheme at the site of motorsport firm Prodrive by junction 11 of the M40 – to include Marks & Spencer and Next – has been approved by the council.

And another retail park scheme, to include a supermarket, is being considered by the council for part of the Kraft factory in Southam Road.

Malcolm Douglas, spokesman for the Banbury Cross Traders group, said: “I don’t want to see retailers leaving the town purely because they don’t see a future for the town, that is my big worry.

“They lose hope and close down whereas a shot in the arm of free parking will make all the difference.”

Deputy council leader George Reynolds said free parking was being considered, but takings added vital cash – more than £1m a year – into the council’s £16m budget.

The Conservative warned a cut could see sports centres hit, adding: “Show me how we can save £1.2m in the budget and I will welcome the suggestion and consider it.”

Meanwhile, a planning application has been made to turn part of Hayward Bathroom & Banbury Water Softeners in Broad Street into flats.

The family firm would operate from a smaller ground-floor space while the first- and second-floor showroom, storage and office areas will be made into two one-bedroom flats.