Bunker Vinyl lifts the needle after 10 years

One of Cork’s few remaining independent record stores has announced its closure after ten years.

Bunker Vinyl on Camden Quay has been a beloved hideaway for Leeside music lovers since 2016.

Tucked away under Ozalid House on the northern bank of the Lee, the little store has had its fair share of struggles over the years, including a devastating flood that cause thousands of euros worth of damage. In a post on social media, store owner John Dwyer shared a heartfelt and difficult farewell.

“It's really hard to write this but today is the end of The Bunker,” he wrote on Sunday. Mr Dwyer revealed that the last two years of business had been especially stressful and had taken a big toll on him.

He wrote: “The flood took 21k with it. Then we had the flood from above closing the shop and destroying equipment. We then had the footpath fiasco, leading to weeks of disturbed trading.

“The Bunker war chest was empty and never recovered. It takes its toll. I’m worn down and now its affected my health. I’m now under doctor’s orders to rest for a longer period of time than I’ve ever stood still in my life...ever.”

My Dwyer thanked his landlord who he said had been really good to him and has allowed him to exit his lease without any fuss.

“The future is unknown for me but the last ten years in the Bunker has been something I'll cherish all my life. So many happy memories will be taken with me. You, the good people of Cork and beyond, were so loyal to the Bunker. I’ll never forget that,” he wrote.

But there was a message of hope towards the end of the post, and a wink to the film ‘Field of Dreams’. “As it was said...if you build it, they will come...well I may build again one day.”