After 15 years retail store Imagine is being forced to close the doors of its prime Mossman location.

According to Imagine's owner, Patrick Boivin, a decision by Cairns Regional Council means the heritage listed building (on the intersection opposite Mossman Hardware and Daintree Inn) can no longer be used for retail purposes.

Mr Boivin said bureaucracy within the Council was to blame. "One man from Council said it was a Council building and there should not be any retail in there, there should be a non-profit organisation," he said.

Mr Boivin said that a visit by former Mayor Val Schier and current Division 10 Councillor Julia Leu two months ago dispelled that argument, saying there were a number of examples where retail shops operated in Council owned buildings.

"She (Ms Schier) came in and said to me there's no reason why I shouldn't be a tenant because we have retail shops in Cairns Gallery.

"So basically what he (the Council officer) is saying doesn't stand. Different rules for Mossman than for Cairns," Mr Boivin said.

In a statement Council confirmed that a retail store was not appropriate for the building.

"It was determined that the building should be for use by community/non-profit organisations, as there was other suitable commercial space available in the vicinity for commercial businesses.

"The tenant did not have a lease agreement with Council and had been advised that, to enter into a lease, tenders would need to be called."

Read the Cairns Regional Council resolution

Mr Boivin added that it was too late to save the store as the last of Imagine's stock was removed yesterday and will be traded through Mr Boivin's Port Douglas shop and South Mossman warehouse.