Maidstone’s biggest independent record shop has been closed and chained shut just days before Record Store Day.

AEA Sound, situated in the Royal Star Arcade, closed on April 6 when a notice was placed in the shop window.

An A4 sheet of paper stated the unit had been repossessed by its owner in accordance with its lease.

Chains keeping the entrance doors shut are visible through the glass front and records are strewn across the floor.

Piles of discarded vinyl remain inside the shop and the notice warned any attempt by any person to enter the store without permission can be prosecuted.

It read: “Take notice that we, Rapsole Limited, the owner and company entitled to possession of these premises have today (April 6) re-entered upon these premises in accordance with otu power to do so contained in a lease dated March 8, 2013, and as a consequence of such re-entry the lease has been forfeited and the premises have been secured.

“And take further notice that no person may lawfully enter onto these premises unless they have been authorised by us to do so.

“Any attempt by any person to enter these premises without our previous authority will probably amount to a criminal offence and may result in a prosecution.”

The closure came just days before Saturday’s Record Store Day.