AN ART gallery and gift shop serving Dunbar for more than a decade is closing its doors for good.

Tippecanoe Gallery, at the northern end of High Street, has sold everything from furniture to artwork for the last 15 years.

However David Murray, who owns the business, has decided to concentrate on his sister shop in North Berwick of the same name, which will remain open.

Speaking about the Dunbar business, he said: “There has just been a gradual decline in High Street footfall.

“During holiday times, there are plenty of people around but outwith that the out season is getting longer and longer and the holiday season is getting shorter.”

Mr Murray, who lives on the outskirts of the town, plans to close the Dunbar shop for the final time on Saturday.

He took to social media at the beginning of the month to announce the decision.

A message to customers said: “As a special thank you to everyone, we will be having a closing down sale in Dunbar.”

The 62-year-old thanked members of the public for their kind words.

He said: “People have been absolutely shocked.

“I suppose it is nice in a way that the people who do use the shop really value it.

“Sadly, we just do not get the footfall on the High Street that we used to.

“There are a number of out-of-town and other options for people.”

Steven Hill, who is a member of Dunbar Trades’ Association and runs Dunbar T-Shirt Shop on the opposite side of High Street, wished Mr Murray well.

He said: “It is always a shame to see businesses that are stalwarts of High Street go.

“They have been here 16 years and are probably one of the oldest [businesses].

“It is always a shame to see them go but it is maybe a sign of how difficult it is being a small business in the current climate.”