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18/04/2011
Good Vibrations Record Shop To Close
Belfast's last remaining independent record shop Good Vibrations is to close.
Its owner, Terri Hooley, made the announcement and said that while the shop would close, he hoped to continue the now iconic punk-era/Undertones record label.
He said that he had to "call it a day" because of poor trading conditions.
Good Vibrations first opened in 1977 on Great Victoria Street. Since then it has relocated several times around the city, reopening in Winetavern Street in 2008 after being closed for almost 16 years.
Mr Hooley said that despite being happy with the new premises, unfortunately "business is dead".
He commented: "When we opened, the first three months were fantastic and then all you heard was recession, recession, recession.
"Our business has just died and died, it couldn't get any worse at the moment."
The original Good Vibrations shop was at the centre of the fledgling punk scene in Northern Ireland in the late 1970s, and was a magnet for bands such as The Undertones (pictured), Stiff Little Fingers, The Outcasts and Rudi.
One of Good Vibrations' milestones occurred with the launch of The Undertones single, Teenage Kicks, which was released on the Good Vibrations record label.
Throughout the years label has had a number of high profile supporters, amongst them the renowned and highly influential DJ John Peel, Bangor-born Snow Patrol front man Gary Lightbody and former US President Bill Clinton, who actually wrote to Mr Hooley, praising his role in promoting alternatives to violence.
(JG/BMcC/GK)
Its owner, Terri Hooley, made the announcement and said that while the shop would close, he hoped to continue the now iconic punk-era/Undertones record label.
He said that he had to "call it a day" because of poor trading conditions.
Good Vibrations first opened in 1977 on Great Victoria Street. Since then it has relocated several times around the city, reopening in Winetavern Street in 2008 after being closed for almost 16 years.
Mr Hooley said that despite being happy with the new premises, unfortunately "business is dead".
He commented: "When we opened, the first three months were fantastic and then all you heard was recession, recession, recession.
"Our business has just died and died, it couldn't get any worse at the moment."
The original Good Vibrations shop was at the centre of the fledgling punk scene in Northern Ireland in the late 1970s, and was a magnet for bands such as The Undertones (pictured), Stiff Little Fingers, The Outcasts and Rudi.
One of Good Vibrations' milestones occurred with the launch of The Undertones single, Teenage Kicks, which was released on the Good Vibrations record label.
Throughout the years label has had a number of high profile supporters, amongst them the renowned and highly influential DJ John Peel, Bangor-born Snow Patrol front man Gary Lightbody and former US President Bill Clinton, who actually wrote to Mr Hooley, praising his role in promoting alternatives to violence.
(JG/BMcC/GK)
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'Excitations' Over Good Vibrations
Good Vibrations can be felt across Belfast at the moment as the cameras roll on a movie focusing on Ulster music legend, Terri Hooley. Shooting will continue on Good Vibrations in Belfast for the next five weeks before heading to the Irish Republic.
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Communities Minister Gordon Lyons has welcomed the launch of a new Defence Heritage Record, a comprehensive resource detailing over 4,500 sites constructed across Northern Ireland in response to World War One and Two, as well as the Cold War.
01 June 2021
Businesses Damaged By Blaze In Portstewart
An investigation has launched after a number of businesses were damaged by a blaze in The Diamond in Portstewart. The alarm was raised at 5am on Monday, however fire crews were called back at around 9.30am. A chip shop, coffee shop and hairdressers were damaged as a result. An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.
Businesses Damaged By Blaze In Portstewart
An investigation has launched after a number of businesses were damaged by a blaze in The Diamond in Portstewart. The alarm was raised at 5am on Monday, however fire crews were called back at around 9.30am. A chip shop, coffee shop and hairdressers were damaged as a result. An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.
19 May 2009
Hooley's Good Vibrations For Big Screen
The man behind the emergence of Northern Ireland's own punk music revolution, Terri Hooley, (pictured) is to hit the big screen, reports Brenda McNeill. The new movie Good Vibrations is currently in pre-production by a team that includes the partnership behind another NI-based movie success, Cherrybomb.
Hooley's Good Vibrations For Big Screen
The man behind the emergence of Northern Ireland's own punk music revolution, Terri Hooley, (pictured) is to hit the big screen, reports Brenda McNeill. The new movie Good Vibrations is currently in pre-production by a team that includes the partnership behind another NI-based movie success, Cherrybomb.
08 November 2023
Six New Murals Installed On Great Victoria Street
Belfast City Council has announced that six new murals have been installed on Southern Great Victoria Street. As part of a transformation project, one of the murals is paying homage to Good Vibrations founder Terri Hooley.
Six New Murals Installed On Great Victoria Street
Belfast City Council has announced that six new murals have been installed on Southern Great Victoria Street. As part of a transformation project, one of the murals is paying homage to Good Vibrations founder Terri Hooley.
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