LOYAL customers have come to the rescue of an independent record shop that was running out of cash.

Vinyl Revolution announced last month that it was urgently seeking an investor to buy ten per cent of equity in the business.

The shop, in Duke Street, Brighton, endured a slow Christmas.

The owners, Rachel Lowe and Simon Parker, said shoppers were reluctant to spend due to the uncertainty of Brexit.

But it has been a good start to the year as they have received positive responses from investors who were keen to help the shop get back on its feet.

Ms Lowe said: “We had 45 customers from four different countries choose to become shareholders and several of them also offered their professional expertise.

“Last week was an emotional rollercoaster for Simon and I. We went from being in a pretty bleak place to being inundated with goodwill and support.

“Our customers were absolutely amazing. Appealing for investment in the week before Christmas was a big ask but boy did they rise to the occasion.

“They didn’t just invest, they wrote emails of encouragement, told us how much they loved our shop and even brought us presents.

“We’ve now got enough money in the bank to enter our third year with optimism and get back on track with our growth plans.

“We are feeling very blessed and very grateful and we can’t wait to plan our first shareholder party to celebrate.”

The business started three years ago as a pop-up in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and the shop opened in Brighton two years ago.

The couple now plan a crowdfunding campaign this year to develop the business. Ms Lowe said: “Brighton has been hit by the perfect storm of Brexit uncertainty and a major rail project which is further decreasing footfall.

“Businesses have been forced to close all across the UK but Brighton businesses are facing an even greater challenge with out-of-town customers not being able to reach us.

Read more: Vinyl Revolution in Brighton seeks investor to buy equity in business

“But already, there has been a pledge of £8,000 from someone. We have been provisionally accepted by one of the biggest crowdfunding platforms. We just want people to stop worrying about Brexit and be confident in the economy.”

The couple said they are confident independent businesses could fill the gap in the market if HMV in Churchill Square fails to survive.

The company has gone into administration.

Ms Lowe said: “You never want to hear about people losing their jobs.

“Some of the HMV staff members shop here for vintage vinyl and artwork.

“HMV makes up about 30 per cent of vinyl sales in the UK but customers visit independent shops for more specialised music.

“According to last year’s hipster index, where Brighton overtook Portland in the US, the city has the most vinyl shops per 100,000 city residents.

“Because we have so many vinyl shops, there is no reason why we can’t fill in the gap.

“We just have to wait and see what happens.”