Closure announced of Lancaster city centre record store

Owners of a record shop in Lancaster city centre have announced its closure.

Forty Five Records, based in the Kings Arcade on King Street, first opened in 2023 before moving into a bigger unit in the shopping arcade in 2025.

As well as selling new and pre-owned vinyl records across multiple musical genres, the premises was also known for its coffee shop and live DJ sets - as well as promoting music nights at other venues in the city.

Forty Five's programme of events will continue and they also aim to carry on their online record store.

In a post on their social media page, Martin Collins and Lizzie Crane from Forty Five Records said this week:

"After a lot of thought we've taken the difficult decision to close the record shop and coffee shop at Forty Five Records.

"This has obviously been a really big decision to make and there are many factors that have led to this but ultimately we just couldn't get the numbers to work.

"We had hoped that our last day would be Sunday of Lancaster Music Festival but unfortunately for various reasons we aren't able to stay open until that date.

"Our Saturday and Sunday of Lancaster Music Festival will now take place in the fantastic Atika, above Kanteena's main room.

"There are far too many people to thank individually. We've had so much support, help, advice and we wouldn't have been able to do it without you.

"To all our family and friends who made it possible, we love you more than you'll ever know.

"What happens next for us, we're not sure yet. We're working on keeping our online store and we're in the process of relaunching that very soon hopefully!

"However we will still be hosting our events in and around Lancaster and all upcoming bookings will be taking place!

"It's sad that we weren't able to have one final send-off at the shop like we wanted. However we've loved every second of it.

"Thank you for helping us make it happen.

"As a wise gent once said 'fail we may, sail we must'.

"Martin and Lizzie."

Commenting on news of the closure, local music promoter Mark Simpson posted: "Saddened to read this. Such lovely friendly people and passionate about the local music scene. I wish you both all the best for the future and thank you for publicising my music capers."

Many others commented supporting the shop, including Nadine who said: "All the best for your next venture Martin. You’ve made such an impact on Lancaster’s music scene in the short time you’ve been open. I’m sure it can’t have been an easy decision."

Steven posted: "Sorry to hear this. Loved visiting the shop when I was in Lancaster . All the best for the future."

Martin is a lifelong music fan whose dad Julian used to be a manager at Crystal T's nightclub in Morecambe. 

Liz has been around vinyl her whole life too and her dad has played in local bands including The Devious Soul Machine and The Midnights.

Martin also used to work in the old Blue Tubes skate board shop on King Street, so was influenced by spending time in the nearby Proper Records record store.

The One Last Dance event will take place on Saturday from 1pm to 10pm at Atika, Kanteena.

Read more: Lancaster independent record store to reopen bigger than ever - Beyond Radio

New record store set to open in Lancaster - Beyond Radio