Usually at this time of the year we jokingly congratulate ourselves in the shop for surviving another 12 months. This is then followed by a thank you message on our website to all the customers who have supported us throughout the year.
In that respect 2020 is no different to all the previous years, but in reality it has been unlike anything we have dealt with in the past. Just like businesses of every shape and size we have faced unprecedented challenges during the pandemic.
Government support in the form of business grants and the furlough scheme were a very welcome help to aid our survival, but it's the loyalty of our customers that has kept us going since the first lockdown in March. We are very grateful to every single person who has bought something online, over the phone, or in the shop when we have been allowed to open. We thank all the customers who have visited the shop for observing all the COVID-19 rules we have had to put in place.
We have made it through to the back end of December without losing any of our fantastic staff and feel reasonably optimistic about the year 2021. Not least because we have taken the opportunity to launch our new website, which we think is a huge improvement on the one we had before. We are in the process of listing all our stock on there, so pretty soon anyone wishing to browse through our racks from any location will be able to. Then either choose click and collect or delivery and we will do the rest. Why not have a search for your favourite artist now?!
Hopefully 2021 will see the virus loosening its grip on the world and a return to something like normal life. We can't wait to go to gigs again and really feel for all those amazing people in the live music sector who have suffered from venue closures this year.
Once again a huge thank you to all our customers. None of us have been vaccinated yet, but you have been a real shot in the arm during these difficult times!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,
Ian, Paul, Scott, Joel, Matthew, Jed and Gavin