Chartbusters
 Logo as of 2004 | |
| File:Chartbusters store, 2009.jpg Chartbusters store in Ranelagh, 2009 | |
| Company type | Private limited company |
|---|---|
| Industry | Video rental |
| Founded | 28 July 1993 |
| Founder | Richard Murphy |
| Defunct | 15 November 2010 |
| Fate | Liquidation |
Number of locations | 16 (2010) |
Area served | Ireland |
Chartbusters was an Irish video rental chain founded by former Xtra-vision chief executive, Richard Murphy.[1]
History
Chartbusters was founded by Richard Murphy following his departure from Xtra-vision in 1990.[2] The company was registered on 28 July 1993 as Chartbusters Limited.[3] The chain rented out VHS/DVDs and games. In addition to this, they also sold VHS/DVDs, computer games, cassettes and books.[4]
Stores
_-_After_The_Fire.jpg)
The first store that opened was in Blanchardstown followed by the second in Tallaght, both of which were classed as superstores and were reported to be generating £6,500 to £7,000 per week in 1994.[5][6] In 2003, stores began to offer stand tanning under the company's tan.ie branding in the outlets.[7][8] At the height of their popularity, in 2004, the chain had 52 stores across Ireland.[9] By 2009, there were 44 stores open.[10]
On 21 January 2011, a fire broke out in the vacant Chartbusters store in Stillorgan resulting in the adjacent restaurant and Mill House pub to be evacuated.[11][12]
Liquidation
In 2009, Chartbusters' debts mounted to €20 million and they declared that they had gone bust, later going into examinership.[13][14] The company made an announcement that they were to cease trading on 29 October 2010 with the loss of 87 jobs.[15][16][17] The petition for winding up was struck out on 15 November 2010.[18]
References
- ^ "Video stores chop prediction". Sunday Independent. 12 June 1994. p. 2. Retrieved 20 December 2023 – via Irish Newspaper Archives.
- ^ "Richard Murphy". Independent.ie. 10 May 2003. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ "Chartbusters Limited - Irish Company Info - SoloCheck". www.solocheck.ie. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ Lattimore, John (8 December 1993). "Murphy returns to take on Xtra-Vision". Irish Press. p. 22. Retrieved 20 December 2023 – via Irish Newspaper Archives.
- ^ Keane, Terry (9 January 1994). "An Xtra love for turn-again Dick". Sunday Independent. pp. 28L. Retrieved 20 December 2023 – via Irish Newspaper Archives.
- ^ Guerin, Veronica (3 April 1994). "Vouchers may cost Xtravision £6.5m". Sunday Independent. p. 2. Retrieved 20 December 2023 – via Irish Newspaper Archives.
- ^ "Chartbusters Home Entertainment". 23 June 2003. Archived from the original on 23 June 2003. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ "Home". 20 June 2003. Archived from the original on 20 June 2003. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ "Chartbusters Home Entertainment". 27 July 2004. Archived from the original on 27 July 2004. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ "Store locations..." 16 January 2009. Archived from the original on 16 January 2009. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ "Diners forced to evacuate after fire outbreak". Independent.ie. 23 January 2011. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ "Fire on Lower Kilmacud Rd. (Chartbusters)". boards.ie - Now Ye're Talkin'. 29 September 2008. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ "Chartbusters goes bust as debts mount up to €20m". Independent.ie. 8 January 2009. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ "Court told 17 Chartbusters shops to close". The Irish Times. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ "Chartbusters to cease trading". The Irish Times. 29 October 2010. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ "Chartbusters to close all 16 stores". RTE.ie. 29 October 2010.
- ^ "87 jobs are lost as Chartbusters shuts DVD stores". Independent.ie. 30 October 2010. Retrieved 20 December 2023.
- ^ "Chartbusters Limited - Irish Company Info - Vision-Net". www.vision-net.ie. Retrieved 20 December 2023.