SAVE OUR RECORD SHOPS: Bigga Records, Plymouth
As part of our Save Our Record Shops feature, and with National Record Store Day coming up later this month, we’ve collected some info on some of the best record stores in the region…
Bigga Records, 15 Looe St, Bretonside, Plymouth, PL4 0DY
01752 268801 // biggarecords@btconnect.com
How long has your shop been open?
15 years
Do you specialise in any particular kind of music?
Drum and bass, dubstep, hardcore, trance, house, hip hop, techno, funk and reggae.
What has been the most memorable thing that has happened in the shop over the years?
There’s not one particular thing, just those good days when the customers are buzzin’, tunes are good and people are spending!
How have the changes in the music industry (downloading etc) affected your shop?
Downloads and CDJs have definitely had a detrimental effect on my business. I feel they are killing the record shop, and they probably explain the constant demise of shops like mine.
Has your clientele changed since downloading became more popular?
Yes, I’ve lost a lot of customers to this format, but there are still a few people out there who love vinyl and physical formats.
How have you tried to address the changes that you have witnessed in the industry – what are you doing that’s new?
Personally I can’t see a way around this, there is little money in selling downloads, and from my experience most people don’t actually pay for downloads. I have expanded my mail order business and all I can do is continue providing a personal and knowledgeable service in the hope that people will continue to use and support the shop.
Where do you see things going in the next four or five years? Will you still be open as a shop?
Hopefully I’ll still be here, although its getting harder and harder to survive. As long as people still love vinyl and using turntables, and enjoy visiting a record shop, I’ll be here.
