I'm worried about my local record shop

[Itsallicanafford]

I live in St Albans, when the HMV closed down (and turned into another Costa) a few years back, the only place you could buy a CD locally was Tesco metro! Then, like a pheonix from these miserable ashes, a proper independent record shop opens, selling lots of new and used vinyl and CD's. I always buy there, I really don't give a monkies that their CD's might be more expensive or if I can get records cheaper on the internet, these guys are offering a great service to me. Problem is, I've never been in there when there is more than a couple of people in the store, usually looking through the secondhand stuff. The place was rammed last month, they were having a flash half price sale, in February...rents in St Albans are not going to be cheap..I'm worried about my local record shop...

[Blayney]

I still use the independent shop when I can, but unfortunately HMV can afford to have a wider range through volume...

I really, really hate to say this, but sometimes things have to change. Kids are moving on and spotify et al are reaping the rewards. Other than the hipster vinyl revival that I don't see lasting for long once they move on to the next scene (maybe it will be cassettes?!). So perhaps the cd/record shop will be a thing of the past.

On the topic of rent. Spillers records in Cardiff, which claims to be the oldest record shop in the world, recently had to relocate due to increased rent costs.

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/60-ye...

but has since moved again because of the rise in vinyl sales

http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/world...


Whenever I'm back in Cardiff I always pay Kelly's Records a visit in the market though. Now I'm in Swansea I use Derricks.

[motorizer]

They may also be doing business you don't see. through an ebay store, or amazon marketplace etc.....

[kingston12]

Yep, I think most need other outlets rather than just the bricks and mortar shop, it is probably only the central London ones that can survive long term without that.

My local record shop in Kingston (Banquet Records) seems to be doing ok. It has been there years, but is quite active online and organises local events/signings etc to supplement the core income. When I moved to the area 20 years ago, there must have been 10-12 record shops in Kingston and now there are only three, so in a way they have done well to survive this long.

I am not sure what the future holds. I am a big vinyl buyer and this resurgence over the last few years has suited me very well in terms of new and re-releases, but I do get the impression that it is on the way down a bit. It stands to reason I suppose, I am not sure I'd want a big record collection hanging around if I was in my 20s and still living with my parents or in a house share as more of them seem to do now!

[kingston12]

Blayney said:

I really, really hate to say this, but sometimes things have to change. Kids are moving on and spotify et al are reaping the rewards. Other than the hipster vinyl revival that I don't see lasting for long once they move on to the next scene (maybe it will be cassettes?!).

You are not the first I have heard talking about cassettes being the next hipster target and I am seeing an increasing number both in Banquet Kingston and the central London shops that I go into.

I can't see that revival lasting nearly as long, but you never know...

[The jiffle king]

Every time I visit Hinckley, I check to see if Gordon is still at Nervous records. It was a part of growing up going in there any buying from a tiny shop.

I know that things are digital now, and I have done the same for all of my music, but there is a romance attached to going into a record/CD shop and flicking through the albums. I hope that they survive and that there is still space for a physical as well as virtual business.

[minimalist]

The cassette thing is already strong. Some independent albums are being released on tape and the better quality blanks are very expensive.

[Jazzy Jefferson]

Itsallicanafford said:

I live in St Albans, when the HMV closed down (and turned into another Costa) a few years back, the only place you could buy a CD locally was Tesco metro! Then, like a pheonix from these miserable ashes, a proper independent record shop opens, selling lots of new and used vinyl and CD's. I always buy there, I really don't give a monkies that their CD's might be more expensive or if I can get records cheaper on the internet, these guys are offering a great service to me. Problem is, I've never been in there when there is more than a couple of people in the store, usually looking through the secondhand stuff. The place was rammed last month, they were having a flash half price sale, in February...rents in St Albans are not going to be cheap..I'm worried about my local record shop...

Empire Records?

We did a single launch gig there, it was a fantastic turn out.
About 10 years ago I worked in a shop in the vacinity, it's still trading despite barely anyone came into store. If they can survive, I have high hopes.

I'm not sure what level of business they do online, but it could be that they have a great business online, but want/need the presence of a shop.

[Itsallicanafford]

^ that's the place, it's just great that a small place like St. Albans has a really good independent record shop, I'm certainly going to keep supporting them...not sure what online business they do, maybe an ebay shop? Sounds like these place survive by a good online presence?

[Jazzy Jefferson]

Itsallicanafford said:

^ that's the place, it's just great that a small place like St. Albans has a really good independent record shop, I'm certainly going to keep supporting them...not sure what online business they do, maybe an ebay shop? Sounds like these place survive by a good online presence?

I could be wrong, but I think the comic shop next door is owned by the same guy. But they must do online trade as well. Im not sure, fingers crossed they stay in business.

You should check out the LP Cafe in Watford. Good coffee whilst browsing the vinyls ;-) although smaller than Empire.

[Oakey]

Jazzy Jefferson said:

Itsallicanafford said:

I live in St Albans, when the HMV closed down (and turned into another Costa) a few years back, the only place you could buy a CD locally was Tesco metro! Then, like a pheonix from these miserable ashes, a proper independent record shop opens, selling lots of new and used vinyl and CD's. I always buy there, I really don't give a monkies that their CD's might be more expensive or if I can get records cheaper on the internet, these guys are offering a great service to me. Problem is, I've never been in there when there is more than a couple of people in the store, usually looking through the secondhand stuff. The place was rammed last month, they were having a flash half price sale, in February...rents in St Albans are not going to be cheap..I'm worried about my local record shop...

Empire Records?

We did a single launch gig there, it was a fantastic turn out.
About 10 years ago I worked in a shop in the vacinity, it's still trading despite barely anyone came into store. If they can survive, I have high hopes.

I'm not sure what level of business they do online, but it could be that they have a great business online, but want/need the presence of a shop.

Damn the man, save the Empire!

[Baz Tench]

There's a local independent around the corner from me in Redditch. A couple of sisters own it and it's always pretty busy. I always buy from there, I love it.

The senior of the two has told me that her overheads aren't very high, so long may it reign!

[V8mate]

Baz Tench said:

There's a local independent around the corner from me in Redditch. A couple of sisters own it

Marx and Eldritch?

[Unbusy]

Blayney said:

On the topic of rent. Spillers records in Cardiff, which claims to be the oldest record shop in the world, recently had to relocate due to increased rent costs.

That brings back happy memories. Still got my records from there bought in the early 70's.
I preferred City Radio though, just around the corner.
First visit they were playing Foxtrot. Bought it £2.10.
Hkw the hell do i remember the price when i can't remember what i had for my dinner?
They had some listening booths there. I quickly found out that prog rock is not liked by girls!

[dandarez]

Hugely successful record shop here in Cameron town, ie Witney, called Rapture and they also have The Truck Shop in Oxford (both same owned business).

Witney shop is always busy 7 days a week. Expanded into Oxford 5 years ago, and also have shops elsewhere I believe. But then as it's free parking here in Witney, you can literally afford to go in a buy something regardless!

http://www.witneygazette.co.uk/news/8775206.Witney...

http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/12900360.Music_lo...

http://sabotagetimes.com/music/independent-record-...

http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/leisure/musics/music/1...

[alfa phil]

There is no record shop in Dunstable any more ,but I am drawn to the second hand vinyl and CD,s at the towns Oxfam shop, and in nearby Berkhamstead, there is a Oxfam shop solely for records and books, found some little gems there for under a fiver, it would be nice to support a local indy shop ,but you cant support what you dont have, just finished reading Last shop standing, (whatever happened to record shops) by Graham Jones, its a good read. may be, i will go over to St Albans or Watford for a look.

[anonymous-user]

Records and Relics in Blackpool have acres of the stuff.
To be fair I only nip in from time to time when up there and that's to buy a record from my youth I liked the sleeve of for my wall display.
I gather he is very internet savvy as well.

[Itsallicanafford]

So...just over a year on, poppe into Empire records in St Albans, packed out it was! Looks like they are riding the vinyl revival thing well, picked up Bruce Springsteen Greatest hits on tape....happy days

[JLC25]

kingston12 said:

Yep, I think most need other outlets rather than just the bricks and mortar shop, it is probably only the central London ones that can survive long term without that.

My local record shop in Kingston (Banquet Records) seems to be doing ok. It has been there years, but is quite active online and organises local events/signings etc to supplement the core income. When I moved to the area 20 years ago, there must have been 10-12 record shops in Kingston and now there are only three, so in a way they have done well to survive this long.

Banquet is a case study in how to run a brilliant independent store, especially since the website has been revamped. They cater to audiences that still love physical copies (Punk, Hardcore, Emo, Mathrock etc.) and put on amazing shows in between. Jon is also very active in the Kingston community outside of just being a shop there. For record stores to survive they have to offer something people need, not just used copies of Frampton Comes Alive.

[kingston12]

JLC25 said:

Banquet is a case study in how to run a brilliant independent store, especially since the website has been revamped. They cater to audiences that still love physical copies (Punk, Hardcore, Emo, Mathrock etc.) and put on amazing shows in between. Jon is also very active in the Kingston community outside of just being a shop there. For record stores to survive they have to offer something people need, not just used copies of Frampton Comes Alive.

Totally agree. It is really great to be able to get such a great range just down the road rather than have to order online.

Also, being in my local town centre, it is nice to still have the option of browsing a decent record shop as respite from the rest of the shopping. You don't get to do that at Westfield!

They organised Record Store Day really well, actually hiring the shop next door to increase capacity. I thought that it was a bit chaotic when they put the stock online, but that is a minor complaint really.