Sister Ray could be saved

Possible new hope to save indie record store.

08 August 2008 - One of the UK's wholly independent record shops, which is under threat of closure after going into administration, now says it could be saved.

The owners of the iconic Sister Ray, in London's West End, have told 6 Music news they've had a steady stream of interest from people who could keep the shop in the business of selling records. Phil Barton co-owns Sister Ray.

"I think we've got a two or three week window at the moment to find somebody or to find a company that is interested and then after that, I don't think you'll see much of Sister Ray after that."

What went wrong?

Phil says Sister Ray went under because of a number of factors that happened at the same time.

Things not being great in the music business, its been a quite summer for new releases, not that much great material has been produced, plus the stores rent is exceptionally high because its in the heart of London's West end.

But the thing that's getting the biggest blame is the fact that the shop isn't seeing anyone between the ages of '14 and 30' come in to buy hard copy music.

"That's the problem. We aren't having a new generation of music buyers in the same way we all as music buyers used to be. That's the way people choose to consume their music these days, its not for me to judge them, its just the way it is."

'"As far as record shops and record companies are concerned its very difficult for them to make money.'"
Phil Barton, co-owner of Sister Ray

The Plan B

The worry is things may not work out, and the administrators may not find someone or a company to take over the shop, let alone find someone or a company who is willing to take over the shop and continue to sell music.

"We do have creditors so the stock will have to be sold. But it will be a terrible day. Not only for the West End, not only for music, but for all our customers all around the country because we've got hundreds and hundreds of mail order customers up and down the country who won't be able to use us in future."


Other casualties

This isn't the first independent record shop to feel the pinch. It could follow in the footsteps of Music Zone, MVC, Fopp (which has since reopened under new ownership), Disque and Reckless Records.

Sister Ray is the last surviving non-specialist inidie music outlet in London's Soho.

The shop is still trading at the moment, but Phil doesn't know how long that will go on for.

"The music industry has a real problem at the moment. I don't know how its going to find itself out of this problem."

Chi Chi Izundu