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Shoe store to close after 40 years of business

BBC An image of Blunts Shoes in LeicesterBBC
Blunts has 10 stores across the country

A shoe shop in Leicester has announced its closure after 40 years of business.

Blunts Shoes, in Granby Street, has been a mainstay in the city for four decades but says it will be closing for the final time at the end of March.

The store formed the basis of a running joke by pop star James Blunt, who claimed ahead of his performance at BBC Radio 2 in The Park 2023 in Leicester that he owned the shop.

Announcing the store's closure on Tuesday, the firm's head office in Kidderminster said footfall had been a factor in the decision.

James Blunt laughing during radio interview with a large mic in front of him
James Blunt spent years joking that he was the owner of the store

In a social media post, Blunts said: "After 40 wonderful years, we are sad to announce the closing of our Blunts Shoes Leicester store.

"It has been an honour to serve this community, and we are truly grateful for your support and loyalty over the years."

Blunt, known for playing the clown on social media, had famously posted about the store six years before his appearance at the Victoria Park festival, which also featured Kylie Minogue, Rick Astley and Simply Red.

When asked about it by BBC Radio Leicester's Ady Dayman during the event, he said: "Yeah, shop's doing really well - even through the pandemic just going hell for leather."

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