The best record shops in the UK - Raves From The Grave - Frome
“To gauge the worth of a town’s record shop, see
if they’ve a section devoted to the trailblazing art rock band Pere Ubu. I ran
the test here and instantly decided to move to Frome.”
John Harris, The Guardian
Recognise the album sleeve?
Picture shows owner Richard in front of painting by wife Debbie
Recognise the album sleeve?
Picture shows owner Richard in front of painting by wife Debbie
Raves From The Grave
2-3 King Street, Frome, Somerset BA11 1BH
01373
464666
Monday-Saturday
9am-5pm
Established
1997
Stock:
Vinyl, CD, Pre-owned, Cassettes, DVD, Merchandise, 7-inch singles, In-stores
Also
at 5 Weymouth Street, Warminster, Wiltshire BA12 9NP
Raves
From The Grave is situated in the old town of Frome on a medieval street full
of interesting retail outlets. I am confident it is the only record shop in the
world that has an open leat (artificial watercourse) running in front of the
store. It is the kind of shop you remember from your childhood, with records,
CDs and DVDs piled everywhere. It never ceases to amaze me that the staff seem
to know where everything is, a staggering achievement given that, between the
two shops, they stock 80,000 CDs, 75,000 LPs and 10,000 DVDs. Fans of cassettes
should pay them a visit too, as they sell them at 4 for £5.
The
owner, Richard Churchyard was a shop manager at WH Smith in Notting Hill Gate
when he decided that corporate life was not for him. Looking for a town with no
record shop, he settled on Frome. After his first day’s trading, when he took
only £13, he began to think there was a reason why Frome did not have a record
shop. Luckily it was not long before he started receiving support from the
local community. He has never regretted the decision to move to Frome, and
despite being skint, he has never been happier. By 2010 he had so much stock
that he opened a second shop, which is run by his wife Debbie.
A
great example of what fantastic customer service independent record shops
provide is highlighted by the following story. The day before my visit, Richard
was disappointed that he could successfully fulfil only three of four difficult
requests.
Customer one: “I am after a box set of
EastEnders videos.”
No problem. Richard found one.
Customer two: “I am after any recordings of the
Ffestiniog railway.”
No problem. Richard found a 7-inch single in
Holland and ordered it in.
Customer three: “I am after any cassette singles
of Steps or S Club 7.”
No problem. Richard had some in stock.
Customer four: “I am after a DVD of Caroline
Clipsham, live at Leatherhead Village Hall. It was a gig I attended about seven
years ago.”
Richard: “Leave it with me for a couple of
hours.”
After searching the internet and the artist’s
website, Richard could find no trace of this DVD. Two hours later the customer
returned.
Customer: “Did you get it?”
Richard: “Sorry I could find no trace. When you
were at the concert did you notice the performance being filmed?”
Customer: “No. But you never know. I thought I
would check.”
Raves
From The Grave is so full of stock that there is no space for bands to play
inside, and it is the only shop I know of that does in-store events outside
(out-stores?). Artists such as World Party, Tom Robinson and Billy Bragg have
been happy to play outside (their performances can be viewed on YouTube). Billy
Bragg describes it as “A record shop that has too many records in it for the
space it occupies.” In 2017, Raves From The Grave celebrated 20 years in
business and threw a big party in the town. Tom Robinson was among the
musicians who played on that memorable evening.
In
recent years the shop has had a vinyl stall at the Glastonbury festival.
In March 2019 the shop moved but due to the narrow streets Tom and Richard had to move 90,000 plus units by hand. It is a week shop manager Tom and Richard will never forget. Neither will their backs.
This piece is taken from the book The Vinyl Revival and the Shops That Made it Happen
Over 220 independent record shops featured in The Vinyl Revival and the Shops That Made it Happen
The
books of Graham Jones are available in record shops or online. The latest book
The Vinyl Revival and the Shops That Made it Happen' has been turned in to a
film. It is released on 13 April on DVD and is available in record shops.
Distributed by Proper Music.
www.thevinylrevivalfilm.com
@Revival_Vinyl
For
film screenings and talks contact Graham at graham@lastshopstanding.co.uk
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