Beloved record store reopens after two-year closure

A cherished record store known for its focus on local music has reopened its doors after being closed for two years. The store, called Idle Hands, is run by Chris Farrell, who had to shut it down in 2022 due to various challenges, including the impacts of Covid, Brexit, and the ongoing cost of living crisis. For the past two years, Chris operated out of a storage unit, but he is now thrilled to announce that he has found a new location on Lower Park Row, which is conveniently located near the Christmas Steps. Chris expressed his gratitude, stating, 'I feel really lucky and am very grateful to see that people were excited for its reopening. ' He shared that the journey to find a new place was not easy, saying, 'I had a couple of false starts and properties that fell through; it was never my intention to close for two years, but that’s what happened. ' However, he was fortunate to be offered this new location just a month ago, and he feels that it is a wonderful way to wrap up 2024. Chris noted that the transition from the storage unit to the new store has been smoother than he anticipated. Reflecting on the difficult circumstances that led to the store's initial closure, he recalled, 'It was a really stressful time. What do you do when you lose a third of trade overnight? ' Despite these challenges, Chris is optimistic about the future of his store. Since reopening on Wednesday, he has experienced a positive response, particularly from a wave of new, younger customers who had never visited Idle Hands before. He remarked, 'It’s been interesting to see. It’s been nice to meet a generation of people who weren’t in Bristol to see the shop before. ' To celebrate the reopening, a special party is scheduled to take place at The Red Church in St George on November 29. Chris is eager to welcome back both old and new customers to his beloved store, and he appreciates the support he has received from the community throughout this journey.