Indie record stores in the UK have joined forces to try to prevent future music store closures. A website has been created so users can search for their nearest indie store and see what the shop has to offer. Indierecordshop is supported by the Entertainment Retailers Assocation (ERA) and Digitalstores.
There were 774 indie stores in 2004, but now less than 300 remain. Unsurprisingly, it’s people like you who have caused these waves of closures. Last year, 150 million singles were sold in the UK, with 98% being downloaded. Kim Bayley, ERA director general, said “It’s hard to tell whether it’s [Indierecordshop] going to stem the tide, but I think, to be honest, we’ve seen most of the fallout in the sector and the stores which are left are probably the best of the best.”
I bet you feel bad downloading that latestSupersilent release, don’t ya!?
• Indierecordshop: http://www.indierecordshop.com
