CELEBRATED independent music store Longwell Records is leaving Keynsham.
Having traded from Temple Street for almost 10 years, it has struggled financially in recent times and needs more customers to survive.
Owner Iain Aitchison said the shop would be leaving Keynsham at the end of January and reopening in Clifton Arcade sometime in February.
He described Keynsham as one of the best towns around, adding: “It’s heartbreaking but that’s the reality of a small business, especially a niche business like this.”
Many customers have told Iain of their shock and sadness at the decision.
One said on Facebook: “Wishing you all the very best in your new home but sad you’re going.”
Another said: “Best of luck with the move and hope you have a brilliant final month in Keynsham.”
Iain was inspired to make the move to Clifton by his friend Vince John, who runs the 1LOVEART gallery above the shop that Longwell Records will occupy.
Iain recently met up with Fatboy Slim during the gallery’s launch. The DJ signed copies of his albums for sale, with all profits donated to Keynsham Foodbank.
Iain said of Clifton Arcade: “It’s a beautiful setting, lots of people around, and quite arty, so lots of other like-minded shops.”
He hopes to continue in-store events, such as band performances and comedy nights, in Clifton, subject to landlord approval.
Notable gigs in the Keynsham store have included Razorlight, Billy Nomates (her debut), Amber Run, and Mike Peters of The Alarm, who died last year.
Longwell Records specialises in vinyl, whose tangibility and artwork offer a unique way of experiencing music, Iain says.
“People like the fact they can pick up a record, put it on the turntable and listen to it, and think ‘yeah, I own that’.
“And records go through generations. They go through families, friendships, break-ups and new beginnings.”
With its crackles, pops, and slight blemishes, vinyl isn’t for everyone, Iain admits, but many others see these imperfections as part of the joy of collecting and a “beautiful experience.”
Famous supporters of Longwell Records include comedian and vinyl enthusiast Stephen Merchant, from Hanham, who cast Iain as a pub landlord in his BBC TV series The Outlaws.
Southmead-born Iain lived in various parts of Bristol before he and his family settled in Longwell Green, which gave his business its name.
He set up Longwell Records online in 2015 after a long career as an NHS drug and alcohol worker, and opened the shop in Temple Street the following year.
He loves all types of music, especially reggae and two-tone, and his favourite band are Massive Attack. But if he had to choose one desert island disc, it would be a bootleg of Radiohead performing at Glastonbury in 1997.
“I was there that year and it is such a beautiful atmospheric album. I don’t know how it sounds so good.”
Pictured below, Iain Aitchison and friend at Longwell Records, one of whose supporters is vinyl enthusiast Stephen Merchant.
