clarks/harlequin reading
Clarks/Harlequin (1970s)

Clarks were in Union Street (known locally as 'Smelly Alley' due to the proliferation of Butchers, Fish Mongers and Fruit and Veg sellers!) from the late 1960's and I think were taken over by Harlequinn in the 1970's.
(May 20, 2014) Pete Downs said:It had an upstairs room which usually had sale stuff. There was also a second branch of Harlequin in the Butts Centre which had a big area at the back of the shop selling USA deletions.
(May 15, 2013) edenofflowers said:Harlequin was a tiny little shop that stocked a lot of interesting vinyl.
There were imports as well as domestic releases and a lot of heavy metal vinyl.
(Nov 30, 2012) David Buck said:Seeing these old bags posted here is really taking me back to my early days of record buying.
Comment:
Gosh - yes I remember the bags (I may even still have one somewhere!) but for the life of me I can't remember the shop!
Richard Haysom
Comment: I worked in this shop during the very early 70's, I have very fond memories of running up and down the black cast iron spiral staircase to the sale dept... I wish I had kept some of the vinyl from those days😊 I was still working for Harlequin when they opened their second store in the Butts centre next door to But is it art? Name Mary Lowney ( Nov 22, 2016)
Comment
I worked for Harlequin as manager of one of the two Harlequins in Reading, Berkshire. I was there for four years and they were great days, so much fun. I am still in touch with Lynn who worked with me and I would love to know what happened to the manager of the other store, Carol who married our EMI rep, Ron. As for me I married our Anchor Records rep Chris. We have been married 44 years, have one daughter and two granddaughters. So I have Harlequin to thank for them!
Name
Frances Murrell (as was)
(2021)
(May 20, 2014) Pete Downs said:It had an upstairs room which usually had sale stuff. There was also a second branch of Harlequin in the Butts Centre which had a big area at the back of the shop selling USA deletions.
(May 15, 2013) edenofflowers said:Harlequin was a tiny little shop that stocked a lot of interesting vinyl.
There were imports as well as domestic releases and a lot of heavy metal vinyl.
(Nov 30, 2012) David Buck said:Seeing these old bags posted here is really taking me back to my early days of record buying.
Comment:
Gosh - yes I remember the bags (I may even still have one somewhere!) but for the life of me I can't remember the shop!
Richard Haysom
Comment: I worked in this shop during the very early 70's, I have very fond memories of running up and down the black cast iron spiral staircase to the sale dept... I wish I had kept some of the vinyl from those days😊 I was still working for Harlequin when they opened their second store in the Butts centre next door to But is it art? Name Mary Lowney ( Nov 22, 2016)
Comment
I worked for Harlequin as manager of one of the two Harlequins in Reading, Berkshire. I was there for four years and they were great days, so much fun. I am still in touch with Lynn who worked with me and I would love to know what happened to the manager of the other store, Carol who married our EMI rep, Ron. As for me I married our Anchor Records rep Chris. We have been married 44 years, have one daughter and two granddaughters. So I have Harlequin to thank for them!
Name
Frances Murrell (as was)
(2021)