HUNDREDS of bargain hunters snapped up cult films and comics as a well-known rental store closed for the last time.

People swamped Videosyncratic, in Cowley Road, as owner Jon Spira sold off his stock.

Queues stretched out on the pavement – with some shoppers queueing for 90 minutes to get their hands on a host of movie memorabilia.

Those who managed to brave the crush were rewarded with a series of live musical performances in the shop, including a set by up-and-coming Oxford band Stornoway.

Mr Spira, 33, said he was delighted with the evening.

He added: “It was absolutely amazing, I could never have dreamt it would have gone so well.

“We managed to sell at least two-thirds of our stock, maybe even three-quarters. People were buying 50 DVDs at a time.

“The atmosphere was great and the bands were fantastic. One of the performers, Ben Walker, wrote a song specially for the evening.

“I reckon we worked from 5am to midnight. There were 70 people waiting when we opened at 10am, and the queue never stopped.”

Mr Spira, who lives near Kidlington, had run two DVD and comic stores in Oxford since 2002.

On Sunday, he shut his Summertown branch before closing down the Cowley Road store a day later.

Last week the Oxford Mail revealed that Galeria Brasil nearby in Cowley Road was also closing, prompting fears from traders and community leaders than the iconic road is losing its identity.

Mr Spira added: “I’m not that sad now because I have had time to reflect.

“If somebody had told me 10 years ago I would have had these two shops and had the fun that we did, I would have been delighted.

“We’ve had a great time and it is now time to do something different.”

Adrian Mackney, 29, travelled from Berinsfield to pick up some bargains. He said: “I bought eleven DVDs and got an amazing price, which was brilliant.

“I used the shop a few times and it does seem like a real shame that it is going. Cities need independent places like this.”

Sarah van Malderen, 22, from Botley, said she read about the store’s closure in the Oxford Mail.

She added: “I was gutted when I heard. It’s such a well known shop.

“I managed to get some good DVDs, and although it was busy the atmosphere was really nice. I think it was a really fitting send-off.”

Padraig O’Griofa, from East Oxford, said: “I bought two comics, including one by Alex Ross which I like because it is very realistic and visual.

“I’ve known Jon for a few years and it is a real shame Videosyncratic is closing. It was truly a shop for movie and comicbook fans.”