Evolver 117 - September and October 2020

18 MUSIC September and October 2020 CLOCKTOWER MUSIC Last year ended on a high note for Clocktower Music, when it was voted best record shop in the south of England. Home to crates and crates of pre-loved records of all genres, as well as shelves full of kitsch, this one-of-a-kind Bridport store had big dreams for 2020. At the top of its list was a plan to increase the number of live music events it holds. Also two of its crew were getting married after 40 years together. But Coronavirus, lockdown and social- distancing have dashed hopes of gigs in the shop for the foreseeable future and the wedding has been postponed until 2021. Today, you’ll find antibacterial hand gel alongside the Clear Groove Record Cleaner that's ordinarily available at the store (and looks disarmingly similar). Owner Roy Gregory said: “We’ve followed all the guidelines to make browsing safe. We’ve got antibacterial gel, masks and blue gloves to give customers. We tell them the gloves are to protect the records. We've not had anybody object yet. Everybody understands. Like every other business, we’ve had to make changes.” Before Covid-19, they had seating so partners of record collectors could come in with their dogs, if necessary, and drink teas and coffees while they waited. “We’ve lost the sofas and the chaise longue and the kettle,” lamented Roy, “but we’ve still got our pinball machine - we just clean it every time it’s used.” “We are a ‘destination’ shop,” he insisted. “Before we were able to re-open in July, we survived by moving online in a small way and that will continue. But I think all our customers were waiting for us to re- open and looking forward to getting back inside a record shop. July was incredibly good for us.” In a relatively short time since first opening its doors in 2015, Clocktower Music has established itself as a world-class player. It came third in an independent Record Shop of the Year competition run by Long Live Vinyl magazine last year. But, as the stores which won first and second place are in the north of England, it can boast of being best in the south! “Before we closed down for Covid-19, the last two customers we had in here were from Alaska and Berlin,” revealed Roy, who himself hails from Birkenhead on the Wirral. While his reach is international, he remains keen to support home-grown talent like Dorset’s indie folk singer-songwriter Fenne Lily. Roy is hoping he can arrange for Fenne to come in to sign copies of her brand-new album Breach , which is out in September. The business began life as a market stall before migrating to its current premises in the town’s industrial heritage area. Roy explained: “I had quite a big record collection. So I took a market stall to start selling my records and it went really well.” When the local town surveyor was looking to theme the market, Roy suggested records - an idea that met, initially, with a stony silence. “Eventually I persuaded the council that records would bring tourists here. My concept was to make Bridport for records what Hay-on-Wye is for books!” Roy, who is beyond retirement age, lives with ‘aphantasia’, a recently-discovered condition that affects less than five per cent of the population. It is characterised by an inability to visualise images in your head. Many sufferers also struggle to recall sounds, smells, or sensations of touch. Some also can't recognise faces. “When I put on music, I have no memory of it. I know I like it but can't remember why. It’s almost like it’s the first time I’ve ever heard it,” he said. He has no trouble connecting with what is in front of him. “This space feels like it should be for music. The girders up there are just perfect for displaying seven-inch singles!” In fact, the roots of the curious building in which Clocktower Music is situated are intertwined with the fortunes of Bridport itself, which has a long history as a rope- making centre. It is still called the Edwards Building, after the son of a sailcloth weaver called William Edwards who manufactured rope, twine and nets there centuries ago. Roy is full of stories from the past and present day to share with his visitors. “The people who come in here have immediately got a common interest - music - and that’s the fun. Stories and conversations with customers are what this business was built on,” he smiled, “but we can still swap stories now, we can stick chairs outside!” Emma Pittard clocktowermusic.co.uk Photographs by Andy Scaysbrook