Published
Wed, Aug 3, 2022, 09:05
- According to a post by owner Chris Farrell, the shop has struggled since Christmas due to issues related to Brexit and the pandemic.
Beloved Bristol record shop Idle Hands is shutting at the end of August, with the aim of moving to a more central location.
The plan, according to a social media post by owner Chris Farrell, is to close the current City Road store "until something comes up" and in the meantime launch a crowdfunder to help with overheads and the move to a new premises.
"Since Omicron hit just before Christmas the shop has struggled, with less people popping in and Brexit making EU trade pretty much unworkable for a business this small," Farrell wrote. "These are tricky times, but I do believe Idle Hands still has a future."
He added: "When I decided not to renew our lease I had hoped to make a smooth transition to a new location—although there have been options I've been pursuing, the retail rental market is also in a bit of a state and that hasn't been possible."
For the rest of the month, Idle Hands will be selling its "bargain bin stock at stupidly low prices," as well as continuing to operate online and via Discogs. Earlier this summer, the shop's affiliate label announced its final release "for the time being."
According to Farrell, without people's support, the shop—which opened in February 2011—may have to close permanently. Donate to the crowdfunder.