It wasn’t too long ago when Spillers Records in Cardiff, Wales, appeared to be on the brink of closure. Now, it’s making a comeback, and the woman leading this resurgence is none other than Ashli Todd. She never planned on taking over the family business from her father, Nick Todd, yet a sequence of events compelled her to step in and save this precious piece of music history.
Thirteen years ago, as physical music sales were plummeting and the store faced escalating rents and a potential permanent shutdown, Todd made the bold decision to keep the legacy alive. In the late 2000s, she stepped in to rescue Spillers Records – the world’s oldest record store, in operation since 1894.
The shop, established by Henry Spiller, stands as a testament to the evolution of music, having sold records since the 19th century, well before vinyl became the norm. Faced with the possibility of Spillers’ demise, Todd was moved to action. The thought of such a historic store shutting down was an unthinkable symbol of the state of physical music and independent music retailing.
Against all odds, Todd – armed with an art degree and part-time retail experience – learned the ropes of business quickly, from negotiating deals to understanding employee contract laws. Within a matter of six months, she formulated a business plan and breathed new life into the store, a feat she reflects upon as “absolutely bonkers.”
At a time when owning a physical music store was deemed a poor investment, Todd, a devoted music enthusiast, saw glimmers of hope. Key players like Record Store Day and Jack White’s Third Man Records, among others, were reigniting a love for vinyl among music fans in the U.K. and beyond.
The road to recovery was not immediate for Spillers, but Todd’s perseverance eventually paid off. The store found a new home in Queen’s Arcade and under Todd’s stewardship, it has been offering a rich selection of music ranging from MF Doom to Lana Del Rey since 2010.
Spillers Records, more than just a record store, is a proud Welsh institution. Todd showcases Welsh musicians and greets visitors in her native language. The challenges the store faces today are mostly operational, including increased vinyl prices and delivery delays due to Brexit-related workforce shortages. But Todd remains optimistic.
As she navigates her second decade of running Spillers, Todd finds joy in the changing demographics of the customer base, with more young people and women showing interest in vinyl. Artists like Taylor Swift, Harry Styles, and a slew of hip-hop artists have brought younger generations back to the format, much to Todd’s delight.
For now, Todd continues to helm Spillers, upholding its historical legacy while adapting to an ever-evolving music landscape.
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