A RECORD shop closed for the final time yesterday after six years in Worcester city centre.

The groove ended for the much-loved Rise store in the Crowngate Shopping Centre as loyal customers and vinyl addicts snapped up the remaining records.

Manager Tom George was sad to be closing but was happy the store had met a natural end rather than shutting immediately overnight.

“A lot of customers were sad but understanding,” he said. “It’s been a lot more positive than we thought it would be.”

He singled out a Frank Turner launch party, which was attended by more than 200 people in 2015, as a memorable highlight during the life of the music store.

The recent vinyl comeback mirrored a rise in sales for the store – but not enough to keep the business open, sadly.

“When I first came I think we had a box or two of vinyl at the back of the shop and during the last Record Store Day we had eight full racks,” Mr George added.

Customers browsing during Rise’s final day were depressed by the thought of there now being no independent record stores left in the city.

Gerry Bright, from St John’s, said: “It’s a shame to see and it’s very sad. It feels like I am picking the bones out of a dead body looking through half price records.

“I’ve got nowhere else to buy records in Worcester now.”

Justin Lee from Northwick was equally dejected.

“It’s really sad. I’ve probably spent about three grand in here over the years,” he said.

“It’s the only good record shop in Worcester. Staff always recommended records and found you stuff that is really hard to find.”