This page: last update 10th September 2008
 A nostalgic page ( non-retail )
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~~~> September 2008:

 Welcome to one of the newest features to appear on this site, dedicated to the record and popular music scene that occurred within the vicinity of the City of Exeter.

It is hoped that this bit of nostalgia will give enjoyment, and with any luck jog some memories from those of you who where in and around Exeter, with a view that some interesting contributions will be forthcoming!

Images pertaining to the music retail industry and entertainment wanted to include here:

record outlets
artifacts with individual shop names affixed or printed
posters
admission tickets
membership cards
interior of dance halls
rock n' roll scene
mod scene

Please note that the 1950s / 60s is the main period of interest, but versatility is always on the agenda !

Anybody submitting a story, photograph, etc, will be credited if so desired 
   (sorry, no external links to any commercial sites).

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78rpm Protective Covers

Any original photographs of the shops or further information on these businesses would be most welcome!

MOONS were in the High Street, next to Woolworth's (now McDonalds). In the 1970's, the premises became Rumbelows. It is currently an 'Early learning Center' shop.

     

S. WEBBER & SONS. 36-37 Cowick Street is now two separate entities. Does anybody remember Webber & Sons?

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GODFREY * Co. Ltd. 8 Sidwell Street. Does anybody remember Godreys?

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JOHN C. GUEST 'Sole agent for Broadwood's Piano'. Initially had two outlets as printed here:199 High Street + 40-41 Bridge Street. 

Along with the EXETER CYCLE WORKS shop, the first record outlet in Exeter.

In 1912, a shoplifter named as Joseph Powell was jailed for 3 months for stealing a flute from Mr. Guest's premises !

The High Street address is currently (2008) leased to a tea and coffee retailer called WHITTARD.
 

Now called GUEST, with the cover stating 'Note only address: 40-41 Bridge Street, Exeter'. 













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 EXETER CYCLE WORKS, 43 Sidwell St. One of the first record retailers' in Exeter. This business was trading at no 41 as early as 1913 (probably even prior to this). The premises is currently (2008) a Dry Cleaners.

 'This Envelope is charged at One Penny, and will preserve the life of the record. Customers returning 12 in good condition can Receive 1/- in Cash - or can select a new 1/6 Double-sided record Free from our stock'. 


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PAISH & CO. Shops in Exeter, Paignton, Torquay. They were still trading in Torquay in the 1970's.





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PAISH & CO.'EAST-LIGHT Patent Filing Envelope for Records'. A 'Record File' housing twelve 10" discs with these covers was available @ 3/-. A 'Box-Album' with colour artwork was 5/-, and an 'EAST-LIGHT SOLID CABINET' to house four Box-Albums was 30/6 (a week's wages if one was a Lancashire Weaver!).


Record Retailer's Bags

Depicted are for 12" LPs unless o/w specified

MOONS, High Street. Had listening booths in the  way of wooden hoods on the right side wall. Shown is a strong brown paper carrier bag customed for 10" 78rpm records. A great find !



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WALTONS were 100 yards along from Moons. An Independent department store, with the one-upmanship on Woolworth's for stocking groceries. 



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WALTONS. On the lead up to Xmas there would be massive queues at the side entrance. This lead up the narrow spiraling stairs, having moving displays of elves, etc, ending on the top floor, enticing children to Santa's grotto.

MOONS PLYMOUTH = EXETER = TRURO.  Quality carriers now replaced with the standard paper bag.









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BOBBYS, on the corner of Sidwell Street and New North Road, was opened in 1964.. whereupon.. after 'Saturday Morning Pictures' at the ABC Cinema opposite, we rushed over to Bobbys in our duffle coats and ran up the 5 flights of down escalators, and down the up ones. However, after three Saturdays of great fun, the store employed persons to halt us juvenile delinquents causing mayhem !
 

BOBBYS was a subsidiary of DEBENHAMS, and changed to the latter in the 1970s. Their record department in the basement was not exactly a known place for purchasing the latest pop sounds, and became a bargain basement type outlet, similar to Tesco's DELAWARE department. Yes, Vertigo label LPs for less than a pound.. oh well.


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RECORD CENTRE, 7 Queen Street. Don't recall this one at all? This address is now part of the Guildhall Shopping Complex's frontage.



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BOOTS started off as a Chemist and a  Book Lending Library. Depicted here is a thick paper bag with an attractive design.


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A BOOTS generic store bag that originally held an LP record. 

LEFT BANK 17 Sidwell Street. 
One could find weird looking albums such as Mother's Of Invention in the rack. This was the place  to order imports, Tamla Motown back catalogue, etc. Classical upstairs.
More on The Left Bank here.

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TOP RANK. Home & Leisure Service. 'Pick the best of everything for you to rent or buy'. Bag's print code-date is March 1967. Not familiar with this as a retail design... which shop?  This bag was found in Exeter.
 

W H SMITH. Their final carrier bag design for the sale of  records.



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Miscellaneous


Artifacts with shop's name included.

HIS MASTER'S VOICE 18-page Booklet for December 1937. Back cover ink-stamped 
 MOON & SONS (PIANOS) LTD.  
192 HIGH ST, EXETER.
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"His Master's Voice exclusive recordings of WALT DISNEY'S Pinocchio". Illustrated open-out Brochure for April 1940. 
Front cover stamped 
The HOUSE of MOONS - 
HIGH STREET EXETER.


Information stated is from faded memories and recent footwork.
Please contact if you have additional  information - or corrections !


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  ©  2008 Peter Rice Destiny One
1900s RECORD SHOP IN EXETER 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1960s BEAT DANCES IN EXETER 1960s AT ST THE CIVIC HALL EXETER DEVON IN THE SIXTIES

EXETER NOSTALGIA HERE ! ROCK N ROLL IN EXETER 50 YEARS AGO 1960s POP GROUPS IN EXETER DEVON 1970s POP GROUPS IN EXETER DEVON
BEAT GROUPS IN EXETER IN 1964 1965 1966 1967 THE BEATLES IN EXETER IN 1963 1964 CONCERTS AT THE ABC EXETER CINEMA 1960s 1970s
1960s RECORD SHOPS IN EXETER BRINGING ON BACK THE GOOD TIMES IN EXETER DANCE HALLS IN EXETER IN THE 1950s 1960s 1970s
RECORD SHOP BAGS HERE!  VINTAGE RECORD COVERS OF EXETER BUSINESSES HERE! BIRTH OF PUNK IN EXETER 1976 1977 1978