RECORD shoppers in Redditch have expressed their sadness after a beloved store announced its closure.

Vintage Trax owner Ros Sidaway has “reluctantly” decided to call time on her store, which is located off Church Green East in the town centre.

She says that 2023 has been a challenging year for the business, with the cost of living crisis having an impact on trade. 

Mrs Sidaway, aged 63, said the income has not been covering the overheads for the past few months.

In addition, a bad fall earlier this year kept Mrs Sidaway away from the shop for five months. Her husband David had to step in and keep things ticking over with her sister, Teresa, who has worked with her since Vintage Trax began trading back in 2013.

Patrons shared their sadness at the news on social media, with one person calling it one of the best shops in the town.

Juliano Dal Berto said: "Very sad news, my collection is mostly made up of records from here. Best record shop by miles, I'm gonna miss it".

Phil Burbridge said: "That’s not good news. One of the best Redditch shops."

Steven Cartwright said: "Sad to hear this, great music shop."

Barrington Pennycooke said: "Sorry to hear this, you started me on my vintage records journey a lot of my vinyl is from your shop".

Mrs Sidaway said: “I had hoped that, with Christmas fast approaching, trade would have begun to pick up but with just over four weeks to go there is no sign of that happening.”

“So, it's with a heavy heart that I have had to take the hard decision to close down the shop early in the New Year.”

A final date for the shop’s closure has yet to be set but at the very latest it will be the end of the first week of February 2024.

Aclosing-down sale has begun with half-price offers on quality preloved vinyl records, plus further discounts on music gifts and merchandise.