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Russell Acott closing down after 200 years’ service

Posted on by simonminter

Another Oxford-based independent music retailer is due to close next month, although those who remember it may have assumed it had already closed some time ago. Oxfordians with longer memories may recall that the building now occupied by the High Street branch of All Bar One was formerly the home of instrument and music store Russell Acott – whose “Acott” name can still be seen written in the stone floor of the doorway.

Back in the day, it was the place to go for instruments, sheet music and records, and the handiest place in town to pick up strings, sticks, odd little instruments and any musical paraphernalia you could need. In 1998 high rents and falling profits led to a move out of town (to the Hinksey Business Centre in Botley), where the business has been gently running down since then. It’s closing now in the year of the 200th anniversary of the founding of the business. A sad sign of the times, or a timely reminder of the need to keep a business abreast of the times? It’s a bit of both, of course, but we’re shedding a tear here.

More on this at the Oxford Mail website

  • http://www.junkiebrush.co.uk Big Tim

    Very sad, though as you alluded in the piece, I had thought they’d been gone for a while already. I bought many bits & pieces from the old store on the High Street.

  • colinmackinnon

    Bit of a shame, though it wasn’t really on the map after it left the High Street. Keep supporting the Music Box and Guitar Gallery, folks!

  • Andrew

    I live near Botley and had no idea it existed until now. Maybe they should have worked on their advertising…

  • asher dust

    I remember the one on the High Street…My PopPs used to buy all his reggae,rock steady,ska tunes from there for his sound system.. I purchased my first ever 7″ single from there..For years i ordered,bought many funk,soul imports and reggae 7″ Singles from there… Got me thinking about Harlequins,Our Price,Music Market,Sunshine Records…Showing my age….

  • http://deathofhifi.co.uk DOHF

    I got my prized import copy of Criminal Minded by BDP from there back in ’87 when other shops looked at me like, “Who?”

    It’s a shame but it seems inevitable sadly.

  • http://ombmusic.co.uk David Cooper

    It is very sad that all the old names like Taphouses and Russell Acotts have closed. They have enthused and developed musicians for decades, offering help and advice, giving choice of makes and models to choose from.
    One Man Band in Banbury is probably the nearest complete music shop offering acoustic and digital pianos, guitars and basses, amps and effects, brass and woodwind, strings and drums and a very efficient on line music ordering service.
    They can repair, hire, rent and offer fantastic service.
    http://www.ombmusic.co.uk/
    or 01295 266788

  • Sian Howard

    I saw a WASP EDP synth in the window of Russel Acott’s in the High Street in 1979.
    I have never been the same since. We bought it as our band’s first synth shortly afterwards.
    (Today I have still have a studio full of synths).
    I was mortified when it disappeared from the High Street in Oxford in the 1990s and I had no idea where it had gone
    or that is still existed. So indeed, a pity they didn’t work on their advertising, as per another comment.

  • ericcartmanfatty

    I bought a miniature classical guitar here when i was at oriel college in 1997. sad that its gone.