The last new – 32-year-old – video shop with mini cinema in the UK opens up on Christmas Steps with the help of 40 volunteers

There can’t be many video shops left in England. In days of old, a trip to the video shop was full of joyful expectation; a library of cinematic ups and downs. Kevin Costner featuring in every other movie, Jennifer Aniston taking over the romantic comedy section, apocalyptic movie posters and a guy at the desk cackling away at 10 Things I Hate About You. You’d go home with two videos taking up your entire bag and the hope that you’ll love them – watching them through, no matter what. And you’ll remember them, bad or good. 

But video shops, such as Bristol’s Twentieth Century Flicks, have changed since these memories were formed. Mainly, there are significantly less of them so those that remain – like this, the last video shop in Bristol – have become particularly special and rare sentimental time machines. Local businesses to hold affectionately close. Films are transportive, thrilling and bonding. Most of us – young and old – will have a favoured movie genre and now we have smart, thin and enormous tellies to watch them in. Cinemas are great but pricey, Netflix is super but limited, Sky is too big for indecision and downloads are illegal. Local video shops are great mates. 

And this is meant quite literally, owner Dave Taylor knows the name of every customer that comes in. Sitting on a bar stool at their counter is like being welcomed into an animated world of shop adventure. Regaling stories of interactions, ringing ex-girlfriends with overdue DVDs and the wonders of literature and film. Not to mention ‘Joe’ who has been crucial to the move, but has now gone away to Scotland for a break. It’s all banter, small and big talk. 

The fact was that in Clifton, the video shop’s previous home for 32 years, it became “stressful and hand to mouth,” says Dave, who dwells on a boat but would love to live in his new dream shop’s location “it’s got everything!”. Due to changing student habits, which used to make up two thirds of the shop’s business, torrents and rising rent prices. This video shop needed change. 

When word came that Brett and Jane were planning to move to Spain and vacate SHOP, Dave put out a survey for his customers: ‘Would you still visit us if we move to Christmas Steps?’ Unfortunately the answer came back as resoundingly negative, which Dave says: “made me sad. Until I realised that they interpreted it as: ‘Would you like us to stay in Clifton?’’ So, essentially, they all wanted the video shop to stay in Clifton. 

However, Dave was delighted when 40 plus volunteers turned up to help Twentieth Century Flicks move their 18,000 DVD titles to their new home. “They left Clifton. Time will tell if they return to us. We’ve only been open a couple of days.” On cue, an old Clifton customer called Chris comes to the bar/desk. Like old friends, they chatter. Dave was also concerned about missing out on Rosemarino, then of course: “they opened up here, perfect”. In comes another customer, it’s Mr Snowman from the Cider Shop. “Hi Pete!” Dave also tells me he is having his haircut for the first time in 15 years at Angry Dave’s, just across the cobbles. “I used to be terrified of having my haircut,” he says. But now he’s ready to take the plunge and look in that mirror for 20 or so minutes.

Dave wants to build on the new phase for Twentieth Century Flicks, opening up the shop to welcome people and build on the community of film lovers and friends. Newly installed is a private cinema in the shape of The Flicks Kino. Dave starts putting up the red curtains in the cinema, drilling holes into the walls as we discuss what will happen if this new location and venture doesn’t work out. If they don’t make enough money to exist. “We aren’t sure how long it will last, but we just need enough for rent and some income. For now, we are proud to have opened: The Last New Video Shop in the UK. That’s what has spurred us on.”

An extra special one, too. one that has a cycle courier service, 18,000 DVD titles, reasonable rental prices and doesn’t ever get rid of older titles. Even when they have become less commercial. So you can still find all of Jennifer Aniston’s romantic comedies. But more than this, crucially, this is a shop that remembers your name and will have a jolly chat with you about your dinner, parking in Bristol and Pandora and the Flying Dutchman. 

Twentieth Century Flicks, 19 Christmas Steps 

www.20thcenturyflicks.co.uk