'It’s been stressful and relentlessly so': Cork record store announces closure
John Dwyer outside his independent record store, Bunker Vinyl, which has now closed. Picture: Chani Anderson.
In sad news for Cork music fans, it has been announced that one of the city’s last independent record stores, Bunker Vinyl on Camden Quay, is to close its doors.
The shop, in the basement below Ozalid House, opened a decade ago, and had been a haven for discerning music fans, with the steps down to the premises decorated with murals of Jimi Hendrix and David Bowie.
It was a place where the young and the young-at-heart could mix and share a love of music, under the genial stewardship of the shop’s founder, John Dwyer.
In a post on social media, Mr Dwyer said on Sunday that he had made the decision to close due to financial reasons and doctor’s orders.
“The last two years have been financially difficult, and I’ve been ploughing on regardless,” he wrote.
“It’s been stressful and relentlessly so.”
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Mr Dwyer cited several setbacks, among them flooding damage which cost him thousands of euro, and footpath works which led to weeks of disturbed trading.
“The Bunker war chest was empty and never recovered.
“It takes its toll. I’m worn down and now it’s affected my health.
“I’m now under doctor’s orders to rest for a longer period of time [than] I’ve ever stood still in my life ...ever.”
The Lord Mayor of Cork, councillor Damian Boylan, said he was saddened to hear of the closure.
“It’s a huge loss. My daughter was a big fan, and my most recent Christmas present from her came from there,” he said.
“My heart goes out to John. He provided a great space for the young and not-so-young to congregate and enjoy their passion for music.”
Mr Dwyer was previously a social worker at Ealing Council in London for children with disabilities and addiction issues.
When the Tories returned to power the UK in 2010, they ushered in a decade of austerity and cuts to state services; redundancy gave Mr Dwyer the push he needed to go home to Ireland and start his record shop.
“I’m originally from Dungarvan, but I always said that if I were to come back to Ireland, I would move to Cork,” he told the last year. “I just love it here.”
He started with a market stall at the Mother Jones Market, before founding Bunker Vinyl on April 1, 2016.
On Sunday, Mr Dwyer said Bunker Vinyl is now in storage, following “a mammoth effort” from his friends.
“The future is unknown for me, but the last 10 years in the Bunker has been something I’ll cherish all my life.
“So many happy memories will be taken with me. You the good people of Cork and beyond were so loyal to the Bunker and I’ll never forget that,” he said.
Signing off, he offered a glimmer of hope to fans of the shop.
“As it was said, if you build it, they will come. Well, I may build again one day.”
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