Astleys
Run by the family of Edwin (Ted) Astley a well known composer of music for film and TV in the 1950's and 60's. Shop open as a music store in the 1970's, as well as records they stocked musical instruments, sheet music, Audio / HiFi gear, televisions etc.Closed at the end of March 2011. Ted's daughter Karen was once married to Pete Townshend and another daughter, Virginia
is a singer / songwriter with something of a cult following.
(October 21, 2015) Regular customer here when I lived in Wallingford (1984-85), and visited often while still in Oxfordshire 1986-89.Perhaps one of the most foolish business choices I ever made was not taking-up a business proposal Gareth Astley* (Ted's son, just a few years my senior) made to me sometime 1985.Looking back, the opportunity to manage that shop, and enjoy the magnificent living room of the flat above, might have made for a very happy business life.
It seems almost incredible now, but in the 80s Wallingford not only supported two record shops, but Astley's also found it viable to offer a very commendable hi-fi section, with a nice, acoustically treated listening rroom (heavy wall cutains) to the back of the shop.
*I believe Gareth had just taken-over the reigns at the shop when I moved to the town at the start of 1984, qith Ted still helping-out at wekends sometimes. He remained proprietor until the shop's sad demise in 2011, when he chose to cease being a testing-ground for products that his "customers" then went away and bought on the Internet. Commnet:Tony S.
is a singer / songwriter with something of a cult following.
(October 21, 2015) Regular customer here when I lived in Wallingford (1984-85), and visited often while still in Oxfordshire 1986-89.Perhaps one of the most foolish business choices I ever made was not taking-up a business proposal Gareth Astley* (Ted's son, just a few years my senior) made to me sometime 1985.Looking back, the opportunity to manage that shop, and enjoy the magnificent living room of the flat above, might have made for a very happy business life.
It seems almost incredible now, but in the 80s Wallingford not only supported two record shops, but Astley's also found it viable to offer a very commendable hi-fi section, with a nice, acoustically treated listening rroom (heavy wall cutains) to the back of the shop.
*I believe Gareth had just taken-over the reigns at the shop when I moved to the town at the start of 1984, qith Ted still helping-out at wekends sometimes. He remained proprietor until the shop's sad demise in 2011, when he chose to cease being a testing-ground for products that his "customers" then went away and bought on the Internet. Commnet:Tony S.