LONG-established salon Talk Of The Town closed its doors for the final time yesterday after allegedly going into liquidation.

The Devizes Road business, which has been running since 1968, offered hair and beauty treatments. The store’s management did not want to discuss the problems they’d encountered but confirmed that the salon was going to close at 5.30pm yesterday.

However, several customers suggested that the company’s staff were moving to work at a new Old Town salon.

One customer, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “I’d been told by my hairdresser that the old owners had bought the old running shop in Old Town near the car park and were setting up a new hair salon there.

“Apparently a lot of the staff are moving over there. I’ve been going to Talk Of The Town for years to get my hair cut, it’s a shame.”

Fellow customer Roseanne Wike said she was upset to see the salon go.

She said: “It was great, they had lovely staff and I was really happy with the quality of the service that they provided. As someone who lives and works locally it is sad to see another business go.”

Last month, Cakes and Ale, also in Devizes Road, closed after owners David and Marya Marriott, said it was killed by taxes after under a year in business.

Kris Talikowski, who runs Old Town juice bar The Core, said that investment in improving Swindon’s town centre is taking business away from his neighbouring businesses and feels Swindon Council need to provide more support in the area.

“There seems to have been a lot of focus on the town centre but not too much in Old Town and if that doesn’t change you will only see more closures,” he said.

“I think if the council looked at changes to the parking situation and fees in Old Town, perhaps by offering two hours free, that would be a big help and draw in custom.”

Richard Deacon, who runs Deacon’s jewellers, in Wood Street, and is a member of Old Town Business Association said the group were sad to see Talk of the Town close.

He said: “It is very upsetting news and sad to see them go as Talk Of The Town have been one of Old Town’s longstanding businesses. I’m sure many people will be shocked to hear that it is closing.”