A REDDITCH music store, championed by the NME and Mojo, is set to close after a whirlwind 14 months.

Death or Glory Records, which moved from the Kingfisher Shopping Centre to Church Green, not only provided a platform for emerging local bands and artists, but often hosted live gigs, and ran an independent record label and recording studio.

The store, owned by Steve Hadley, recently announced that due to a lack of funding and support from Redditch Council it was impossible for it to carry on.

It also blamed rent increases and "the apathy that Redditch suffers for all things alternative".

The store's last gig was on Saturday, March 14.

A statement regarding the future of the shop was posted on its Facebook page.

It said: "14 months ago we opened a record shop with a clear vision and ethos. To support local bands and artists in a way that hadn't been done before. To help and support bands by running events, forums and workshops. By selling their records commission free, and by putting them at the centre of what we do.

"We then expanded our enterprise by moving to a property that could act as a hub. With a recording studio and space for gigs.

"We had a romantic notion of a community working together for the greater good. A set of principles to be governed by and a plan for a brighter future. A place for bands to network, make friends and support each other. To create an atmosphere at gigs that made them events, worth coming to, with a diverse range of bands from in and outside of Redditch, a donation on entry so all could afford it, and bring your own alcohol so it was a cheap and lively night out."

The statement added: "We plan on continuing in a different way, we will be launching a website to sell records and local products on. We will be putting on unique events and gigs. As well as running the label and our management company."

Mr Hadley said he was very proud of all the bands and artists the store has helped and supported.

"A project like ours was very bold in its approach and maybe a little to forward thinking for a town like Redditch," he said.

A spokesman from Redditch Council said: "Our business start-up programme which comprises advisor support and access to grants is available to everyone and is a process we started with Mr Hadley which he unfortunately chose not to pursue.”

A facebook group page has been set up called SAVE Death or Glory Records, which has more than 550 people in it.

It describes the shop as the only place in Redditch that local bands can get together and play music and network and is asking people for a £2 minimum donation.

For more information, visit facebook.com/groups/439717546195449/?pnref=story.

For information about another campaign to save the store, visit indiegogo.com/projects/death-or-glory-needs-you.