A demand for higher rent and a longer contract has forced the closure of a record shop just 10 months after it opened.

The Record Store in Sun Street, Canterbury, which has been described as a "mecca for used and new vinyl albums", will shut tomorrow (Wednesday) with the manager saying she is "gutted".

But the business' owner says it was not viable to continue at the new rent being demanded by agents for the Dean and Chapter, which owns the building.

Vince Monticelli only launched the business in October last year and was hoping to build on the success of the record shop he opened in Ashford in 2016.

"We got a short term deal when we opened but just cannot afford what they are now asking and to commit to five years," he said.

"They weren't prepared to negotiate so we had no choice.

"The location is very central and you get a lot of footfall but we have become a lot wiser and that does not mean more business in our case. For example, between January and April, trade was especially slow.

"We will look for another affordable location, but probably not in Canterbury because it's too expensive and we are not in the ballpark.

"At the end of the day, it's just a common sense business decision."

The shop stocked around 6,000 vinyl albums as well as pop memorabilia.

But it was in competition with other independent record sellers as well as HMV in the city.

The manager of the branch Paige Bower says it's a sad day.

"Unfortunately, we can’t afford to stay here any more," she explained.

"We are absolutely gutted and hope that we can find another place soon. But we appreciate every single person who has ever come in, even to just say 'hi'."

Among those commenting on Facebook about the closure is Margaret Bee who said: "Good luck. Your place was a mecca for members of the family who have recently discovered vinyl."

"The Cathedral doesn’t help these small businesses. It’s such a shame," added Sandie de Rougemont.

The Dean and Chapter manages properties owned by Canterbury Cathedral and currently has four empty shops in the city.

A spokesman said: "Whilst it would not be appropriate for the Cathedral to comment publicly on individual arrangements with commercial tenants, it is true that we have worked closely recently with several fledgling businesses with a view to them trialling their business in Canterbury in order for them to determine long-term viability."