Retailers are now using tunes from the 1970s as their weapon of choice in a long-standing campaign to reduce litter, graffiti, skateboarding and antisocial behaviour in the shared forecourt connecting the stores.

“It’s made a huge difference,” said co-owner of the Worrigee Street Fruit Shop, Louise Coles, who has owned the fresh produce market for the past year with her husband, Brett.

“We’ve been trying to improve the outside area for our customers for about 11 months and this is the only thing that’s really worked.”

Max Cochrane, owner of the retail properties, explained that young people had been congregating in the area for years but the problem had escalated recently.

“They always sit on the steps in front of the IGA and leave a huge amount of litter there,” he said. “They also use the trolley ramp for skateboarding, despite signs warning of prosecution. We tried putting in more bins, we tried talking to them, but nothing worked.”

Mr Cochrane said an increase in complaints from customers and reports that elderly shoppers were being abused prompted the retailers to act, and he had special speakers installed throughout the complex.

“At first, we had classical music playing but it was too soft, so we turned it up and suddenly all the kids left,” Mr Cochrane said.

Louise Coles also said different types of music have had the desired effect: “Our signwriter had an old Andy Williams CD in his car, so suddenly that went on and they’ve stayed away ever since.

“We think Barry Manilow should be next, and maybe even a bit of Slim Dusty after that,” she laughed.

Although the retailers might be laughing now, the musical approach came as a serious attempt to keep shoppers safe and protect independent business.

“The amount of litter was quite amazing; some days I was picking up broken glass and scraping off bread and butter that had been squished into the steps,” Mrs Coles said. “We care about our customers, so it was important the place wasn’t a dump.”