Legendary north London vinyl shop Zen Records is closing

Tottenham’s Zen Records has announced it’ll be closing after three decades in business. 

Zen Records specialises in reggae, rare groove, soul and R&B vinyl, and is run by Robert Douglas, who is now stepping back from the shop ‘for health reasons’. 

The shop, near Seven Sisters station at 69 Broad Lane, announced its closure via Instagram. ‘Robert came from the vibrant sound system scene, playing out regularly before deciding to dedicate his life to sharing music instead of spinning it,’ said the post. ‘With a passion and knowledge that only true connoisseurs possess, he opened Zen Records and the rest is local music history’.

Before the shop closes for good this autumn, a series of live streamed DJ sets from the shop have been announced, with the next taking place on Saturday August 9 and the final one on Saturday September 6. Both will start at 1pm. ‘A line-up of DJs – friends, customers and musical kindred spirits – will each play a small set live from the shop floor, in tribute to the community Zen has created’. 

Though the shop is set to close, Robert will continue selling records via Discogs. 

Zen Records was chosen as one of the best places to visit in Tottenham, according to the founder of The Cause, a nightclub previously based in the area. 

Check out the 30 best records stores in London.

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