ONE of south Essex's best known independent bookshops is closing after more than 60 years in business.

Grindley's Bookshop, in Leigh Broadway, which was established by Elsbeth Grindley in 1945 and later jointly run by her three children, is set to close by the end of the month.

The store is rapidly clearing shelves, with most stock being sold for half price and many books discounted to as low as 99p.

Co-owner Martin Grindley said: "We think it is probably going to be in the next two to three weeks we close for good.

"The building is being sold as a property investment and I imagine its use will be in a different trade, but I do not know exactly what at the moment."

Mr Grindley said he felt the changing face of Leigh had led to the eventual downfall of the much-loved bookshop.

He said: "I feel we just simply reached a point when Leigh cannot support an independent bookshop of our size.

"Leigh has seen a number of changes in the past few years. There has been a big switch from genuine retailing towards experience economy' such as food and drink, coffee bars, sandwich and bagel bars, pubs and wine bars.

"Having lived in Leigh all my life, I have seen some profound changes in the last ten years. As my older customers have died, our customer base has not been replaced with younger customers.

"The 25-35 generation are more attracted to the likes of Waterstone's, and we do not have the same appeal."

The bookshop recently hosted a book-signing with Dame Helen Mirren, who had fond memories of visiting the shop as a child growing up in Leigh.

Mr Grindley said: "It was the biggest event we ever held at the shop. It was great fun to meet her and sell so many of her books.

"We have also supported many other local authors."

But Mr Grindley, who took over running the shop with his brother Jonathan and sister Susan in 1990, admitted that competing against internet sellers such as Amazon or supermarkets that could offer big discounts had a big impact on their trade.

He said: "I think in a business context, it is very difficult for small independent bookshop keepers nowadays.

"Ultimately it comes down to price, but also there has been a change in society and I do not think as many young people are now reading when I look back at how it used to be.

"It is sad we cannot go on for longer. This means there is only one independent bookshop left in Leigh, the Book Inn, and I hope that our customers will support it.

"If people want to keep small independent shops, they have to support them.

"Part of our problem was that people thought we were an institution - but we were a business."