Beanos records immortalised in hit film (From Croydon Guardian)

Croydon's Beanos records immortalised in The Boat that Rocked

10:30am Monday 6th April 2009 in News By Kirsty Whalley

Croydon’s most famous record shop might be closing its doors for the last time but a little bit of Beanos will be immortalised in the film The Boat that Rocked.

Owner David Lashmar supplied all the records used for the studio and record library shots in the film about an offshore pirate radio station, set in the 1960s.

Mr Lashmar said: “I am used to getting phone calls from people wanting records.

“Last year I got a call from Shepperton Film Studios. They didn't want a record, they wanted eight thousand.

“It was for a film they were making which we now know is called The Boat That Rocked. "They wanted to simulate a studio and record library on the Radio Rock Pirate radio ship.

“Since they are a film company and, in common with most of the media, they wanted the records yesterday or, actually, the next day.

“As you know, Beanos is in the process of closing down and selling off all our massive stocks so the sale of 8,000 records was a positive bonus to us.

“However, getting them sorted and boxed up was a massive task.

“You may have a job thinking of 8,000 LPs and seven inch singles but, believe me it is a lot.

“Five of us worked all night and, next morning, we sent a very full van off to Shepperton Studios.

“All the records you see in the film came from us, so, in a way, even though Beanos and all its legendary stock will soon cease to exist, a little bit of us will exist forever on film.”

After 30 years of selling records Beanos, the legendary second hand shop on Middle Street will shortly close its doors for the final time.

Mr Lashmar has blamed the fall in business on the availability of illegal downloads and pirate internet sites.

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