A treasured music shop is to close after serving customers for nearly 80 years.

Les Aldrich Music, in Fortis Green Road, Muswell Hill, is closing its doors for the final time on April 6.

On its website, staff wrote: "We would like to thank our loyal customers who have supported us over the past 78 years and we wish you all the best in your musical endeavours!

"Les Aldrich Music first opened its doors in North London’s Muswell Hill in May 1945, although our roots in Muswell Hill date back over 100 years, making us the oldest music shop in North London.

"We’re a friendly bunch who love music and instruments. 

"We’re happy to help you with any queries you may have – whether you’re buying your first instrument or are trying to hunt down hard to find sheet music."

The shop has been a Muswell Hill staple and supplied Kinks' frontman Ray Davies with his first guitar at age 13 and remains one of the singer's favourite stores.

In 2013, Ian Rosenblatt, lawyer and founder of classical music group Rosenblatt Recitals, bought the shop when it was on the brink of closure and until now has taken an active role in its running.

Liz Thomson, joint artistic director at New York arts festival The Village Trip, said the shop's closure was "big loss to both the music and teaching communities".

"I grew up in north London and over the years I bought lots of accessories and sheet music. I've always felt very pleased it was there," she added.

"It's a huge resource for local musicians and the teaching community because there really isn't very much now, it's very hard to find stuff.

"I saw one of the staff in there who said the rent has almost doubled.

"Rosenblatt had a kind of rotating team of musicians in. When it reopened after Covid there was a young choral singer doing a couple of days a week. They were all musicians, it was very nice. 

"Since he took over they expanded their offering, they do lots of things. It's been a real resource.

"We do not need a coffee shop, we absolutely do not need another charity shop.

"For the ecology of Muswell Hill and the ecology of London's music, it's very, very sad."

Mr Rosenblatt declined to comment.

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