Idle Hands raise £10,000 toward rent costs ahead of hunt for new home

Bristol’s Idle Hands is shutting its doors at the end of August but, with the help of the public, the record store could see a new location somewhere in the city.

Idle Hands has been fundraising to help with rent costs and ongoing payments before the store closes at the end of the month. So far, the store has raised over £10,000.

“I’m sad to say our time on City Road is coming to an end with the shop closing later this month,” the crowdfunder states, citing the pandemic and Brexit as two main reasons for its current struggle.

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“These are tricky times, but I do believe Idle Hands still has a future. A future that involves a more centrally located premises, a refresh and a new strategy to make the business more sustainable,” they added.

Idle Hands has been running for some 11 years, first opening in Bristol’s St. Paul’s. Producer, DJ, and founder of Idle Hands, Chris Farrell, began the imprint just two years earlier in 2009 with releases from the likes of Peverelist and Shanti Celeste.

The crowdfunder could make for a new store opening, according to the team, who said: “This campaign has confirmed my belief there is a potential future for the shop”.

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Speaking to the BBC, founder Chris Farrell said: ”It puts a spring in my step and makes me want to carry on. I just feel worn out now because I've been trying to keep things going, but you have to stay positive.”

“It's just heart-warming to see that we have a level of support like that,” he said, adding that the funds would “help us get through the next few months”, and if not, “help me wind up the business in a timely manner.”

Help pledge to Idle Hands’ crowdfunder here and keep the store alive.

Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Editorial Assistant, follow her on Twitter