Record Store Day: ‘It’s every music lover’s dream to have a record shop’

Rob Moore and Ken Brown, two of the three co-owners Harbour Records in Emsworth. Picture by Malcolm Wells

When HMV closed its doors in Gunwharf Quays at the end of last month it was the end of an era and marked a sad day for music fans.

For the first time in decades Portsmouth is without a high street music shop.

As the beleaguered chain struggles to weather its second administration since 2013 by closing dozens more shops, the closest branch is now in either Worthing or Winchester.

Virgin Megastores, the short-lived Zavvi, Tower Records are all gone. Some still look back fondly on the red and white branding of Our Price, but they went out of business 15 years ago now.

Rare 1971 prog-rock album, Spring on the RCA Neon label, on sale at Harbour Records, Emsworth. Picture by Malcolm Wells (190410-8853)

There are however a few dedicated second-hand shops remaining – notably Sweet Memories Vinyl in Fratton, or RPM and Soundz in Southsea.

Long written off as the CD became the dominant medium in music sales, we are told that vinyl records are back, and are here to stay. New vinyl sales hit a 25 year high last year, with 4.2m units sold in the UK.

Record Store Day, which is in its 12 year and takes place today, has been significant in bolstering public attitudes towards vinyl and the independent shops which sell it.

Southsea’s Pie and Vinyl has certainly capitalised on it – they will open today at 8am for those who will have waited outside overnight to grab their pick of the exclusive vinyl on offer.

The unassuming exterior of Harbour Records in High Street, Emsworth. Picture by: Malcolm Wells (190410-6577)

While the day is great for shining a light on the trade, it is just the one day – these independent shops can often struggle in the rest of the year, and to adapt an old Dogs Trust slogan – a record is for life, not just Record Store Day.

And with the high street continuing to struggle across the board, to open a new record shop in this climate would appear to take a certain kind of stubborn streak.

That has not stopped the three friends who co-own Harbour Records in Emsworth – Rob Moore, Ken Brown and Colin Thomas.

The trio of life-long music fans – Ken was behind the original Pompey punk fanzine Safety in Numbers, Rob is well-known local DJ, Colin has promoted dozens of gigs – took over the shop from its previous owner at the end of 2017. They have since given it a complete refurbishment and shifted the shop’s focus. It was totally second-hand stock, but they now also sell a healthy selection of new releases and rereleases.