Vinyl Vaughan goes back to his business roots
VAUGHAN DAVIES has gone full circle in his business career.
His current business, record store Vinyl Vaughan’s, reopened last Saturday in the Commercial Arcade.
‘I worked as a travel agent in this building from 1979, so 41 years later I’ve come back round,’ he said.
‘Working in travel taught me that getting to know the customer came first and sales came second.
‘The minute you walk in you get greeted. I get to know the musical tastes of people individually. Recommending music that a regular customer will love is one of the best parts.’
Having signed the lease two weeks before lockdown, an efficient online ordering service kept the business going.
Many islanders spent their time at home listening to music, which supported the local business through a quieter launch than expected.
‘Not too many people were in Town on Saturday,’ said Mr Davies. ‘I think many thought it would be heaving, but more are trickling in now.
‘Our online presence was great over lockdown. I think more people had a chance to listen to music. It was that local support which helped to weather the storm.
‘We got everything moved in just two days before lockdown. Then it was all mothballed for a while.
‘I had fantastic helpers, Rob Roussel and Nigel Chescoe, who were instrumental in getting the shop ready. Dan Smith did all the signage and I’m absolutely chuffed with it all.’
Guernsey’s last record store closed in 2011, before Vinyl Vaughan’s opened officially in 2017.
‘I’ve been involved in charity record fairs. In 2016, I held a pop-up shop which was so popular I opened the Fountain Street shop for three years. Then this came up, as one of six stores which recently closed in the Arcade.
‘I feel every town should have a record store – there’s nothing like coming in person to have a flick through. We need a town with a consolidated heart full of shops.’
Public engagement will help kick-start the new store.
‘Promotions will be on throughout the year. This year Record Store Day – when limited edition records are released, sometimes limited to just five copies – was cancelled. Last year we had around 100 to 150 people queued up outside the door.
‘We hope to set up music outside to support the local music scene. We will release a full diary in due course. Promoting local artists is really key to us. If any musicians want to get in touch to arrange to busk outside please do.’
