TOUGH trading conditions have closed Richard Strange’s Wallingford record shop for the second time - but he is considering giving it one more spin.

In 2015 Mr Strange opened a pop-up shop in Castle Street after leaving his previous record store in the Market Place in 2008.

Then, in 2016, the trader returned to the Market Place on the back of a vinyl revival and opened Music Box.

The shop built a loyal local following, selling second-hand and new vinyl records and reasonably priced record players.

But during the past few months footfall has reduced significantly so the record shop boss, also a DJ, has decided to pull the plug, opening for the last time on Saturday.

He said: “Footfall has really dropped off in the past few months - my lease is coming to an end and I’m not renewing it.

“I’ve been looking at one or two places in Didcot to open a new shop but I’m not sure about the timing yet.

“We are still running our regular pop-up at the Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot, which is very popular. I really want to thank all our customers who have become friends over the years and we will try to make sure we stay in touch.”

Mr Strange’s decision to reopen a record shop in the Market Place almost a decade after he closed the first time was influenced by a resurgence in vinyl sales.

In 2017 sales of vinyl in the UK reached 4.1 million, the highest since 1991. There were 90,000 records sold on Record Store Day in April last year, an increase of 16 per cent.

In 2017 Mr Strange said: “Thankfully, due to the amazing resurgence of records and local support, we are well and truly back selling the platters that matter.”

But support from crate diggers has not been enough to save Music Box.

A number of customers left messages on the store’s Facebook page. Jules Coles said: “That’s a great loss for Wallingford because the knock-on effect will be felt by other businesses.”

The closure of Music Box coincides with national music chain HMV going into administration, putting130 stores and 2,000 jobs at risk.

These feature nine Fopp stores, including one at Gloucester Green in Oxford.

The next pop-up at the Cornerstone is on Saturday, January 12 from 10am.