Record store Transmission in Cliftonville, Margate, is to shut up shop for good - opening for the final time for shoppers to snap up the latest Record Store Day releases.

The store, first opened in 2014 by Spencer Hickman and his partner Kimberley Dunne, was once named one of the top record stores in the world.

Mr Hickman, who formerly ran the world-renowned Rough Trade record shop in east London and co-founded Record Store Day in the UK, 13 years ago, says the pandemic has made them "reassess" their lives.

The business, which has operated a mail-order service only over recent months while the store has been closed, will relocate to Cornwall.

It specialises in rare Japanese vinyl and soundtracks.

But it will go out with a bang as it opens on Saturday for in-person sales again with a raft of the special limited edition Record Store Day releases - an annual event designed to get people back into record shops - and a sale on other stock.

This year's Record Store Day has, like last year, been split into two separate days with special releases planned for each date. The first is Saturday, June 12, the second on Saturday, July 17.

Among the artists releasing exclusives this weekend are the likes of Prince, Amy Winehouse, AC/DC and The Police.

In a statement on its website, Transmission said: "If the last 18 months have taught us anything, it's that reassessing your life, its priorities and your mental health should be at the forefront of any life decisions.

"We have decided that our Margate journey has come to an end, and it is time for us to move on. Team Transmission will be moving to the beautiful fishing port of Looe in Cornwall on June 18.

"We are super excited to be moving. Office space has been secured, and website sales will continue uninterrupted.

"It's been a blast in Margate, but a new chapter awaits. We plan on being as busy as we ever were with lots of exclusive records coming up in the next few months and the expansion of our new venture, Transmission Toys."

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