A dancewear and craft shop in Huntingdonshire is shutting its doors after more than five years. 

Star Dancewear and Crafts in St Ives will close at the end of September, owner Elaine Spence confirmed last week. 

Ms Spence said a "number of reasons" had contributed to the decision to cease trading in Crown Street. 

She added: "Trading has been quite difficult lately and it has become quite a stressful having to worry about the state of the business all the time.  

"I've decided to come off the high street, so that it makes it easier for me because there's been a real drop in foot fall in the town and people just aren't spending as much. 

"People don't seem to come into town as much anymore and, since Covid, people have been shopping online a lot more. It's been a really difficult decision, but one that reflects the way times have changed."

Ms Spence, 62, founded Star Dancewear and Crafts in 2016 when she first began operating out of her home. 

At first, the business focussed solely on dancewear before she was approached about selling uniforms and, eventually, crafts. 

Ms Spence, who has occupied a number of premises in the town, opened her latest store in 2019 and said the decision to shut has sparked disappointment. 

She said: "It is sad and it's particularly sad when customers come in and say how disappointed they are that the shop is going and how empty the high street is. 

"I would have liked to have kept trading here for another five years because in retail you always see the ups and downs, but I can't really see things improving at the moment.

"However, although the shop itself will close, we will still be trading in an exciting new venue that means I don't have to worry about the pressures of maintaining a physical premises."

Star Dancewear and Crafts will relocate to Vicky Grant School of Dance in St Ives from Saturday October 5, where it will continue to sell dancewear and craft materials. 

The site features free parking and an on-site café.