Photo by Beyza Kaplan
Zen Records, the long-standing independent record store based in Tottenham, North London, will close its physical location after nearly three decades of service to the local music community. The decision follows founder Robert Douglas‘s withdrawal from daily operations due to health concerns.
The announcement was made in late June via an official statement posted to Zen Records’ Instagram account by Douglas‘s family. “Now, due to health reasons, Robert is stepping back from the shop,” the statement reads. Despite the physical closure, Douglas will maintain his presence in the vinyl scene through his Discogs storefront, where his extensive collection, comprising more than 500 titles spanning Rare Groove, Reggae, R&B, Soul, and more, will remain available.
In their tribute, the family described Douglas as “a true Tottenham legend,” highlighting his roots in the sound system culture. “Robert came from the vibrant sound system scene, playing out regularly before deciding to dedicate his life to sharing music instead of spinning it,” they wrote. “With a passion and knowledge that only true connoisseurs possess, he opened Zen Records — the rest is local music history.”
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To commemorate the shop’s legacy and Douglas’s contributions, Zen Records will host two final livestream events on 9 August and 6 September, from 1 PM to 5 PM BST. These broadcasts, available via the store’s Mixcloud channel, will feature sets by long-time supporters, customers, and DJs from the local scene.