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Chartbusters

Chartbusters was an Irish video rental chain founded by former Xtra-vision chief executive, Richard Murphy.

History

Chartbusters was founded by Richard Murphy following his departure from Xtra-vision in 1990.[1] His exit contract with the latter included a non-competitive clause that ran until 1994. Chartbusters was registered on Jul 28, 1993 as Chartbusters Limited. The chain rented out VHS/DVDs and games, and sold VHS/DVDs, computer games, cassettes and books. The first two locations opened in Tallaght and Blanchardstown.[2]

Stores

The first store that opened was in Blanchardstown followed by the second in Tallaght,[2] both of which were classed as superstores and were reported to be generating £6,500 to £7,000 per week in 1994.[3] In 2003, stores began to offer stand tanning under the company's tan.ie branding in the outlets.[4][5] At the height of their popularity, in 2004, the chain had 52 stores across Ireland.[6] By 2009, there were 44 stores open.[7]

On Jan 21, 2011, a fire broke out in the vacant Chartbusters store in Stillorgan resulting in the adjacent restaurant and Mill House pub to be evacuated.[8][9]

Liquidation

In 2009, Chartbusters' debts mounted to €20 million and they declared that they had gone bust, later going into examinership.[10][11] The company made an announcement that they were to cease trading on Oct 29, 2010 with the loss of 87 jobs.[12][13][14] The petition for winding up was struck out on Nov 15, 2010.[15]

References

  1. Richard Murphy Independent.ie, 10 May 2003, retrieved 2023-12-20^
  2. John Lattimore. Murphy returns to take on Xtra-Vision Irish Press, 8 December 1993, retrieved 20 September 2023^
  3. Veronica Guerin. Vouchers may cost Xtravision £6.5m Sunday Independent, 3 April 1994, retrieved 20 December 2023^
  4. Chartbusters Home Entertainment 23 June 2003, retrieved 2023-12-20^
  5. Home 20 June 2003, retrieved 2023-12-20^
  6. Chartbusters Home Entertainment 2004-07-27, retrieved 2023-12-20^
  7. Store locations... 16 Jan 2009, retrieved 2023-12-20^
  8. Diners forced to evacuate after fire outbreak Independent.ie, 2011-01-23, retrieved 2023-12-20^
  9. Fire on Lower Kilmacud Rd. (Chartbusters) boards.ie - Now Ye're Talkin', 2008-09-29, retrieved 2023-12-20^
  10. Chartbusters goes bust as debts mount up to €20m Independent.ie, 8 January 2009, retrieved 2023-12-20^
  11. Court told 17 Chartbusters shops to close The Irish Times, retrieved 2023-12-20^
  12. Chartbusters to cease trading The Irish Times, 29 Oct 2010, retrieved 2023-12-20^
  13. Chartbusters to close all 16 stores RTE.ie, 29 Oct 2010^
  14. 87 jobs are lost as Chartbusters shuts DVD stores Independent.ie, 2010-10-30, retrieved 2023-12-20^
  15. Chartbusters Limited - Irish Company Info - Vision-Net www.vision-net.ie, retrieved 2023-12-20^