The History of Record Shops
As a former owner of record shop Demand Records (still dabble with online vinyl album sales)(I miss it like crazy), I thought I would focus on this. I realised recently that my shop is a part of.
Over the decades there have been independent and chain stores. Depends where you live.
The starting point is Banbury, who knows where this may lead?
I have decided to make this journey broader. I thought to myself I am bound to get asked at some point.
At the moment this is a few blogs and the start of an ongoing series on Youtube. This may lead to a documentary at some point. But not getting too far ahead of myself.
Strummer Room Records ( 4 years walk in and online so far)
Chris Oakes who’s a musician, gig promoter and now record shop owner. Deals in Pre-owned/ New Vinyl, CD’s tapes and associated media.
Like many other stores throughout the years started out small. It’s been few years since a spacious walk in record shop dealing in preoened and new in the centre of town as emerged. Unfortunately the Pandemic hit, although he did reopen during the Lockdown easing but my guess is the walk In traffic wasn't enough. Then he moved to Cherwell Business Village, which is formerly known as Alcan Labs. He’s currently testing the Popup system in the town centre to tie in with local events.
Mac’s Music Store (New)
The latest in the long line of independent music stores comes in the form of Jay and crew. Jay who I met through a musician a few years ago has set up shop in the Old Town Cafe, basement, Parson Street. He deals in many music media Vinyl, CD’s, Tapes and other music media such as newspapers and more. This does remind me of a mini version of Movement.
Demand Records (Mine :) ) (1994 - 2005) (I still dabbles)
Independent shop, specialised in pre owned Vinyl based with CD’s and Tapes record shop. Started off in a Kiosk located in Parson Street. I then added console games. From what I remember no one else was selling them second hand at the time?. Then moved into bigger premises down George Street, which lead to buying new drum & bass vinyl From SRD. At the time it was a fast growth music industry. This lead to a short lived magazine, a radio station. Then closed due to running out of steam.
HMV.
Located in Castle Quaye. One of the longest running music store chains in history. They specialise in various music media and accessories. A couple of years they got brought out by a Canadian businessman who owns the Canadian HMV as well
Banbury Emporium
Located in White Lion Walk, this is walk in kiosk sized shop dealing in music related media. The owner has been running an online shop for a few years and this I guess is kind of an outlet for it? He has a lot of vinyl in the store and I have bought vinyl from him in the past.
Chalkys (87 - 09 as a walk in store)
Independent shop specialising in brand new releases. Was a walk in shop for many years until they went online a few years ago. Originally in a Basement in Parson Street beneath a clothes shop then replaced them moving up to the ground floor ( It's a children salon now). A few years after that he moved into the High Street. He had many bands perform. Then he moved to Castle Quaye shopping center. He was only there for a short time then refocused to a pure an online service
Record Savings
In business for 16 years if I recall, might have been longer, specialising in new and second hand vinyl .CD's and Tapes. Then the owner Chris, moved to Church Lane after a bit of a wait ( I can't remember the details), then after a while sold it to businessman Paul Wyle. He ran the shop in Church Lane for a short period until he closed the street shop and focused online through ebay.
Dolphin Records
Located up Broughton Road, this shop especialised in Drum and bass, Hardcore and general underground dance music. Very popular as i remember.
Movement (1987 - 1992)
Run by Martin Shipperly who ran the only shop to get hold of Ride demos and early Rough Trade releases. I was informed that he also held 4AD and Cookin Vinyl Records. He also used to work for Bogarts (Below)
This was located in a basement down High Street. This is where the restraunt Jenny's is today. I remember going in and walking around. I think I only went in there twice?
John Menzies
A chain store, located down Malthouse Walk where Poundland is now. They specialised in CD’s, Tapes and Videos
The Record Shop.
Information provided by Strummer Records. This shop was run by F. Webb 33 and 34 High Street. It was around the year 1939, sold 78s, instruments and accessories.
This was opposite the Post Office. The original post office is where the Exchange pub is today so the shop was opposite that
F. Webb (34-44?)
Located opposite the Post Office, at 33-44 High Street, was a mixture of instruments, players and 78’s. Record sleeves provided by Chris Oakes reveals the address, name and what they sold.
Overtures
Located along Church Lane, specialised in high end audio quality equipment and sold as far as I can remember pre owned vinyl.
Chidzey
Another name discovered. More of a shop selling sheet music and instruments?
Charlies Taphouse
Another name has emerged. Location Parson Street
Haydn Heard
From the 80s was located down Church Lane
Super Disk
Located in Broad Street and run by Len Finnegan
Disc Discount
The was located round the back of the town hall where Nat West is now
Bogarts
I remember the name but I cant remember what they sold. I think it was music and movies. I might be wrong but they sold lazer discs?
Music Market
Another one that was bought to my attention. They had their head offices also in town. They were bought out by Our Price. They also sponsored the Cropredy football club in the eighties.
Our Price
Surprising one of the very view chains stores for music. Previously known as Music Mart, they were pretty good. They managed to keep and indie vibe even though they were mainstream. They focused on chart music
Osbournes.
This was a very well known shop located down Parson Street. I got to know about them as they placed their shop name on stickers which was separate from the price on album covers. They had listening boothe and sold new releases?
WH Smith
Are you surprised? Back in the 80s they were very popular for their vinyl. I can't remember what their whole range was but I was in there A LOT buying 7" single.
Woolworths
Yes, they were well known for exclusively selling releases from budget label Embassy. I have seen a lot of then around. Now it makes more sense.
Boots?
Yes, from information I have been gathering they sold new releases. Funny, its the last place you would expect.
This is just from memory recall. I know there was far more than his around going back decades
If you any information p, pictures or even footage? I will name credit if you want it
Djreadmanuk@gmail.com
Want to help finance this journey
Thanks
I seem to recall one called The Pink Pig, think it was in Church lane and also in White Lion Walk. We used to hunt for early Thin Lizzy Albums in the 70s/80s and found a few in the shop in Broad Street. We mainly shopped in Osbornes because you could listen to the Album in one of their booths first.
ReplyDeleteI seem to recall one called The Pink Pig, think it was in Church lane and also in White Lion Walk. We used to hunt for early Thin Lizzy Albums in the 70s/80s and found a few in the shop in Broad Street. We mainly shopped in Osbornes because you could listen to the Album in one of their booths first.
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