Oakham lost two more shops this weekend, and local business owners have urged the community to shop locally where possible.

On Saturday 22 July, both DG Music's The Piano Cafe and Rutland Cheese Co closed their doors for the last time. While the popular cheese shop, owned by Liam and Tom, will be trading online, and DG Music will continue to work with local musicians and venues, the loss of these two shops in Rutland's County Town is noticeable in such a small, rural setting.

While Oakham's High Street stores are surviving, and some thriving, stores on the periphery of Oakham's town centre struggle with footfall - with some long-term residents admitting that they have never noticed some of these hidden gems.

These shops include stores in The Maltings, just off Milll Street, and Peeky's Quirky Gifts - opposite the recently closed Piano Cafe. Shops in Crown Walk also get missed by shoppers who stick to the High Street, Market Place and Mill Street shops.

Crown Walk, Oakham, Rutland. Image credit: Nub News.

Stephen and Kelly, a married duo who run Peeky's Quirky Gifts, said: "People often head down South Street to go to Tesco, and that's all. We are opposite The Piano Cafe and have very few customers day to day, some days hardly any, with most people visiting us when there are events going on in Gaol Street, such as the Farmers Market or Arts and Crafts fairs.

"People say exactly this - they didn't know that we were here. We would urge people to pop in, and if you can't buy, spread the word among your friends and on social media."

Alongside Peeky's Quirky Gifts on South Street, stores in The Maltings and on Crown Walk are also easy to miss.

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Shops that you can visit in The Maltings include:

• Rocka-Buy Records
• R&R Pvt Global
• Reverentia Tattoo
• Modern Day Bridal
• Thomas Hairdressing

Crown Walk shops are:

• Quirky Bird Gifts
• Albar's Den
• Kids and More
• Rebecca Couture Millinery
• Rutland Coffee Shop
• Olive Tanning & Beauty
• Gents Hair Room
• Notorious Tattoo Gallery
• Twenty Twenty Hair
• Impact
• The Crown Tavern

Landlady of The Crown Tavern, Lindsay, got married earlier this year. Congratulations! Image credit: Nub News.

The Crown Tavern is a popular spot with sports lovers and is the business of Lindsay, who recently got married at Oakham Castle. Did you see our coverage of the beautiful day?

Did you know that these stores existed? If so, which is your favourite?

The Crown Tavern, Crown Walk, Oakham, Rutland. Image credit: Nub News.

Business owners can get in touch with us to share their business with the Oakham Nub News readers. Email [email protected] to find out more about our free Up Close features or sponsorship opportunities.

We look forward to hearing from you.

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