Phoenix Sounds: Keeping Vinyl Alive with a Fresh New Look 🎵
- Monday, March 10, 2025
- Posted By The Growth Company
A beloved Newton Abbot record store is getting a brand refresh and digital upgrade with the help of a Start Up Loan, ensuring music lovers can continue to enjoy their favourite records both in-store and online.
Lifelong music fans Roger and Marsha Cox took over Phoenix Sounds in 2022, turning their passion into a business after the store’s previous owner retired. To keep the independent shop thriving, they secured a £5,000 Start Up Loan through GC Business Finance to update the shop’s branding, website, and online sales system.
Refreshing a Local Music Hub 🎶
Phoenix Sounds has been a go-to spot for vinyl collectors, stocking everything from Elvis and Pink Floyd to modern artists like Charli XCX, Raye, and Fontaine's D.C. With vinyl making up 80% of sales, the shop sees its busiest times during Christmas and Record Store Day, when up to 200 people queue outside before doors open at 8am.
To improve the shopping experience, Roger and Marsha updated their website to sync with the store’s till system, making it easier to track stock and fulfil online orders.
"Before, everything was done manually, which made it harder to keep up with demand. Now, we can manage stock more efficiently and grow our online sales," Roger explained.
Support from Start Up Loans
The Start Up Loans programme, part of the British Business Bank, provides government-backed personal loans of up to £25,000 with free mentoring to help new and early-stage businesses grow.
Alex Mearns, Head of Start-Up Lending at GC Business Finance, said:
"It’s fantastic to see Roger and Marsha using the Start Up Loan to refresh and modernise Phoenix Sounds. Their commitment to keeping this much-loved local business alive is truly inspiring, and we’re proud to support them on their journey."
With a fresh new look and improved online presence, Phoenix Sounds is set to continue serving music lovers for years to come.