Gatefield Sounds

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Gatefield Sounds

70 High Street, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 1BB

01227 263337

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GIVE US THE BACKGROUND - WHEN AND WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO OPEN A RECORD SHOP?

My uncle Mick Winch opened Gatefield Sounds in Faversham on Gatefield Lane (hence the name) on November 25th 1972, so we are fast approaching our 50th Anniversary. The Whitstable store where I am now opened in 1979, and Uncle Mick then went on to open a further four shops in Herne Bay, Sheerness and the sister shops the Sound House that opened in Deal and Broadstairs in the 90s with his partner Paul Savage.I grew up in record shops, I don’t think I really realised how fortunate I was at the time, and some of the opportunities I didn’t take. I started as a Saturday boy in Whitstable in 1990 and generally would hang out in the shop whenever I wasn’t in school. I eventually managed to convince my Uncle to give me a full-time job, and I went to the Sound House in Deal in the 90s and early 2000s, which I feel was the best time in this industry and a lot of fun, well what I can remember.When Mick had mentioned retirement to me back in 2015, I said I’d take over the family business and in March 2016, I took charge with my wife Errin. With that, we felt a great responsibility, and the 50th anniversary which is approaching fills us with much pride.

Tell us a little bit about your store? What's the vibe?

The store pretty much retains all the original features that my Grandad and Dad built. All the shops at some stage showed their great carpentry skills. Whenever I’ve thought of changing anything too dramatically and modernising certain features, customers frown. Although I don’t really want to change anything much as it keeps me close to my Grandad.We stock most genres on vinyl and CD, from Abba to Zappa, Aphex Twin to Andre Rieu, everyone is welcome. We have customers who are of all ages from 7 to 95!

Can you remember the first record you sold in the shop? And the last?

I can’t remember the first record I sold, but the last one today was the new Arctic Monkeys album – The Car.

Do you remember the first record shop you went to? And you do you remember the first record you bought?

The first shop I went to back in the 70s was our shop in Faversham where my uncle would give me posters and promos. I was generally more into BBC theme tunes back then.The first 7” I bought was in Whitstable a bit later was Shakin’ Stevens ‘This Ole House’. Of course, I’ve still got it, but I don’t play it!

What is your favourite record shop (apart from your own!) and why?

I don’t really get the chance to go to many others, but Sister Ray is up there. Love Phil, one of the good guys.

What’s your most memorable record store experience?

Wow, there are too many, but in recent times James Lavelle launched the last two Unkle albums in the shop, they were incredible events. Although the late great Peter Cushing was a regular customer when I first started, he was a lovely man.

What's the best gig you've ever been to?

We have been involved with RSD since day one, and we have seen it grow to what it is today, it’s always been a fantastic event, it will certainly benefit going back to the 1 day next year.