End of an era as curtain falls on Warwick's last video shop

THE sad news was delivered through a sign on the door.

Harmony Watts isn't happy to discover Warwick's last remaining video store has shut its doors. Picture: Jonno Colfs

THE days of renting a DVD on a Friday night are sadly over for Warwick, with the city's last standing video store - and one of the few left across the state - having closed its doors.

The sad news was delivered through a sign on the door, indicating owners Jeff and Tracey Clark had made a tough chose in closing the store.

Mr Clark said it was not an easy decision and the couple went down fighting against their main competitor - technology. "We've done everything we could to keep the place viable," he said.

"Fighting against another video store, the internet, streaming sites, Foxtel and franchise fees."

Mr Clark said there had been other challenges to running a franchise but he was grateful for his time with Network Video, which he said was "awesome, helpful and supportive".

Many regulars, unaware the store was no longer operating, were surprised to see the store closed as they attempted to return their rented DVDs.

Ronda McLaren said the closure of the store left her with few other options.

"This is really sad." she said.

"And a bit of a nuisance as well.

"I live right out of town, I can't get Netflix or Stan, the internet just isn't good enough.

"And free-to-air TV is pretty rubbish."

Harmony Watts, 19, said going to the video store with her dad as a kid had been a real treat.

"To be honest though, I haven't been to the store for years," she said.

"Technology has taken over and I've been using the internet to watch movies for a long time. Which is probably why stores like these are closing everywhere, which is a shame."

But it may not all be doom and gloom for DVD lovers.

Mr Clark said there were a couple of interested parties who were looking to take over the store.

"Fingers crossed that all works out and Warwick gets to keep the video store," he said.

"I hope people make sure they support it, or we might lose it forever."