Rounder Brighton to close after 46 years
Out For The Count
Mon, 09/07/2012 - 12:48
After 46 years, Brighton's Rounder Records will close its doors for the last time on Sunday 29th July.
The Brighton Square store has cited "downloads (both legal and illegal), VAT avoidance by the big online retailers, a double dip recession, & the decline of the high street" as the reasons for its closure, stating that, "Our lease has ended and we have nowhere to go."
Owner, Phil Barton said of the announcement, “The shop and the staff have always striven to be the best. We are not able to deliver the best anymore and with the deepest regret I have to close the doors at the end of July. Rounder has been a part of my life, and my loyal staff's lives for so long that having to close is a very bitter pill to swallow. We tried everything to stay open, but the basic economics were killing us.”
The record shop closed their notice with the final statement: "We would like to give heartfelt thanks to all our customers over the years, and hope that we have managed to provide you with some special and great music throughout this time. That's why we have been here – as place to obtain, hear, find out about, discuss all types of the weird & wonderful world of music, to be a social hub for a musical city, a place where future bands are born, where record labels are started, where local bands can stock their first release, where you can get tickets for gigs, where there's something playing on the shop stereo that might be your new favourite band. Sadly, in 2012, this is just not financially viable."
The record shop is expected to operate as normal until its closure at the end of the month, continuing its current sale with 40% off all DVDs, 30% off all CDs, and 20% off all vinyl.
The Brighton Square store has cited "downloads (both legal and illegal), VAT avoidance by the big online retailers, a double dip recession, & the decline of the high street" as the reasons for its closure, stating that, "Our lease has ended and we have nowhere to go."
Owner, Phil Barton said of the announcement, “The shop and the staff have always striven to be the best. We are not able to deliver the best anymore and with the deepest regret I have to close the doors at the end of July. Rounder has been a part of my life, and my loyal staff's lives for so long that having to close is a very bitter pill to swallow. We tried everything to stay open, but the basic economics were killing us.”
The record shop closed their notice with the final statement: "We would like to give heartfelt thanks to all our customers over the years, and hope that we have managed to provide you with some special and great music throughout this time. That's why we have been here – as place to obtain, hear, find out about, discuss all types of the weird & wonderful world of music, to be a social hub for a musical city, a place where future bands are born, where record labels are started, where local bands can stock their first release, where you can get tickets for gigs, where there's something playing on the shop stereo that might be your new favourite band. Sadly, in 2012, this is just not financially viable."
The record shop is expected to operate as normal until its closure at the end of the month, continuing its current sale with 40% off all DVDs, 30% off all CDs, and 20% off all vinyl.
£5.99 seemed a lot to pay at the time when domestic 12"s were around half the price BUT Trax!! / DJ International!! / Cold Chillin!! / Tuff City!!! etc etc.
In the 90s Norman Cook worked there but we'll not hold that against them heh heh. Only kiddin - he was an asset to the shop as they always employed highly knowledgable people.
At the moment its 20% off all vinyl and 30% off cds. Rounder closes on the 29/7.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-18772460
At least Brighton still has around 10 record shops (maybe more) which is better than most towns of its size.
I remember counting up the record shops in town about 10 years ago and there was over 40 places you could buy records!!
I've also been racking my poor old brain and now remember buying records from Rounder in the late 70s.
I was sent down by a mate of mine who I owed some money to - he wanted the West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band. Not any of their actual catalogue albums but one of those 'Rock Legends' german type comps.
Anyway - I did buy this Bobby Fuller album in Rounder around 1978. The 'Memorial album'. 1966 President UK pressing. I still have it. I think it was £2.99. What a great bargain.
RIP Rounder.