London record store for sale on eBay

The owner of a London record store has put his entire shop up for sale on eBay.

Listed with a ‘Buy It Now’ price of £300,000, the listing begins: “Live your dream and enter a rock’n’roll lifestyle – your chance to run a record shop!”

On The Beat Records was opened by Tim Derbyshire in 1979 on Hanway Street, near Tottenham Court Road. Almost 35 years later it sells a range of collectible vinyl from 1960s psychedelia to grunge with funk, soul, jazz, folk, country and library music.

“I’ve given it my heart and soul for all these years but it’s time for me to step down and let another passionate music lover take over,” Derbyshire writes in the listing.

“If you’re at the stage in your life when you don’t have to worry about making money but can live the bohemian life, meet interesting people every day and the occasional pop or rock star, here’s your chance to take over the oldest record shop in the centre of swinging London,” the listing says. “A vinyl treasure trove with a pulsing, groovin’ history steeped in its very walls. You can make history and take it over!”

The listing also says that without a buyer, the shop will shut down. “Without someone buying it, it will disappear. If you’re mad about music, love vinyl and want to keep the dream alive, here’s your chance to take on an Aladdin’s Cave of musical gems,” it says.

Bidding ends on November 25.