FEATURE:
Memory Lanes
IN THIS PHOTO: Brighton’s North Laine
and unrelated to music because, as I will explain, venues around the nation need our help. At the moment, I am confined to a small area of London, and it is rather than strange not being able to get that far. Apart from missing family, it is various different places I am thinking about. The towns near where I live, I wonder whether all the great shops and cafes are still open; whether, when things go back to normal, everything will open back up and be okay. There is that fear that some shops and businesses that have been around for years will have to close – which makes it all a bit heartbreaking. I think the yearning to get behind the wheel and go somewhere far away has brought my mind to Brighton. This is my favourite place in the country and, like everywhere, there is a worry that the economy will struggle. About this time of year, I would be planning a jaunt to Brighton and thinking about having a great wander around the streets. The Lanes is a network of shops and cafes/restaurants in Brighton. They are very scenic, and one can get lost in these unique and charming shops. It is a buzzing and vibrant area, and one that I miss sorely. North Laine is a great place to start, and I walk from there and head my way to Resident: a music shop located in North Laine Bazaar, it is a must-visit if you ever go to Brighton.
So many independent record shops are struggling but, now, Resident are seeing a roaring trade online. I know they will reopen soon enough, and I look forward to having my credit card ready and making up for lost time. There is no news as to when smaller shops will open – probably June or July -, but I do fear that, when I go to Brighton next, so many of the places I love will be shut and gone for good. I also love walking on the beach and the pier, and it will be sad to think we won’t be able to do that as freely in the summer as we’d like. I guess it is inevitable that some places will shut, but let’s hope the Government can support as many as possible. Brighton’s great venues are still in business but, over the year, quite a few have closed. The Green Door Store is one venue that is among the country’s best that will need some support and financial injection. I think that the Brighton music scene is one of the finest around, and so many up-and-coming acts rely on spaces like Green Door Store to cut their teeth. Music fans flock from around the world and, when places like Green Door Store are buzzing, it makes the local economy stronger. The same can be said for Resident and Bella Union’s Vinyl Shop who serve the community and are part of the rich fabric of the music scene.
If we lose venues and record shops, it will have a devastating effect on the industry. There is also the terrifc showcase, The Great Escape Festival that was due to take place this year. It is a brilliant platform for artists and brings so many people down to Brighton every year. It is such a shame it will not happen next month. I am going to write more about venues more later next week, but I have been pining for the familiar and I hope that, when I return home and get to Brighton too, everything is sort of as it was left. From the coffee shops that are so welcoming, to the brilliant attractions and people – it would be so sad if there was a lot of damage as a result of Covid-19. I know everyone in the country is making plans for when this all over and, as we are confined to home for the most part, it is inevitable that we are looking ahead and, hope of all hopes, things will not change too much. It seems like there will be some movement regarding easing lockdown by late next month/June, so it will be exciting to think that we will be able to enjoy the start of summer and are not going to have to wait too long – even if it might not be possible for venues to reopen as soon as June. For now, we all must be sensible and bide our time to make sure we do not make the coronavirus crisis worse than it is. Slow progress is being seen, but we might have another month or longer before we can start to (gradually) assimilate. I hope to get home very soon and get back in the car (I do not drive when I am in London; my parents live in West Sussex), and I really do hope I can spend a fabulous day in Brighton…
PHOTO CREDIT: @jamessutton_photography/Unsplash
VERY soon.