Oxford record shop may close as redevelopment plans lodged

Riverman Records has been successfully run by long-time record shop owner Andy Tucker in Walton Street, Oxford, since 2019.

But a planning application submitted by the landlords of the premises to Oxford City Council has revealed a proposal to turn the shop into a one-bedroom flat.

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Mr Tucker said the plans ‘didn’t come as shock’ as the building owner advised him that he was exploring the change due to new environmental standards for commercial properties coming into force.

Andy Tucker of Riverman Records on Walton Street (Image: Andy Ffrench)

The shop owner said: “I knew that change was on the horizon.

“The business has had to cope with a number of changes and challenges during its 20 year run, and I’ve always embraced those changes and risen to the challenges.

“This time is no different, and over the next year I’m sure a plan will come together to allow me to keep trading in some capacity. Watch this space.”

The current lease for the record shop in Walton Street expires in March 2027, and Mr Tucker said he will continue trading at least until then.

He added that when he signed the current lease, due to the changes in the environmental standards legislation, he “knew it would not be extended” beyond then.

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But there’s no bad blood with the landlord.

“We’ve always had an excellent relationship, he’s kept me informed of developments on the planning front, and I’ve liaised with the architect on details of the application, so that’s all good,” Mr Tucker said.

The plans for the four-storey, mid-terrace building, which is made up of the ground-floor shop with a basement used for storage and three flats above and behind the shop, propose adding a new ‘self-contained unit’ on the ground floor.

Riverman Records on Walton Street (Image: Matthew Evans)

Its shop frontage and ‘oversized’ signage would be removed and a traditional single-door entrance would be reinstalled.

New metal stairs, ‘conservation-style’ cast iron railings and a light-well would be installed to provide access to the flat.

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The planning application said: “This proposal represents a highly sustainable, policy-compliant development that achieves two key objectives for Oxford City Council.

“It delivers a high-quality residential dwelling to help meet critical housing targets, and it significantly enhances the character and appearance of the Central Conservation Area by restoring a traditional architectural rhythm to Walton Street.”

Mr Tucker added that the future of the shop remains undecided while the planning application is considered by the council, though formal pre-application advice indicated the principle of turning the shop into residential accommodation is ‘acceptable’.

Riverman Records is one of just two independent record retailers in the city, along with Truck Store in Cowley, and trades mostly in more obscure, second-hand vinyl.