Chartbusters
TypePrivate limited company
IndustryVideo rental
Founded28 July 1993 (1993-07-28)
FounderRichard Murphy
Defunct15 November 2010 (2010-11-15)
FateLiquidation
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 depature 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]

A Chartbusters DVD rental copy of Cars

Stores

Fire damaged premises in Stillorgan, 2011

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

  1. ↑ "Video stores chop prediction". Sunday Independent. 12 June 1994. p. 2. Retrieved 2023-12-20 – via Irish Newspaper Archives.
  2. ↑ "Richard Murphy". Independent.ie. 10 May 2003. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  3. ↑ "Chartbusters Limited - Irish Company Info - SoloCheck". www.solocheck.ie. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  4. ↑ Lattimore, John (8 December 1993). "Murphy returns to take on Xtra-Vision". Irish Press. p. 22. Retrieved 2023-12-20 – via Irish Newspaper Archives.
  5. ↑ Keane, Terry (9 January 1994). "An Xtra love for turn-again Dick". Sunday Independent. pp. 28L. Retrieved 2023-12-20 – via Irish Newspaper Archives.
  6. ↑ Guerin, Veronica (3 April 1994). "Vouchers may cost Xtravision £6.5m". Sunday Independent. p. 2. Retrieved 2023-12-20 – via Irish Newspaper Archives.
  7. ↑ "Chartbusters Home Entertainment". web.archive.org. 23 June 2003. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  8. ↑ "Home". web.archive.org. 20 June 2003. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  9. ↑ "Chartbusters Home Entertainment". web.archive.org. 2004-07-27. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  10. ↑ "Store locations..." web.archive.org. 16 Jan 2009. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  11. ↑ "Diners forced to evacuate after fire outbreak". Independent.ie. 2011-01-23. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  12. ↑ "Fire on Lower Kilmacud Rd. (Chartbusters)". boards.ie - Now Ye're Talkin'. 2008-09-29. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  13. ↑ "Chartbusters goes bust as debts mount up to €20m". Independent.ie. 8 January 2009. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  14. ↑ "Court told 17 Chartbusters shops to close". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  15. ↑ "Chartbusters to cease trading". The Irish Times. 29 Oct 2010. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  16. ↑ "Chartbusters to close all 16 stores". RTE.ie. 29 Oct 2010.
  17. ↑ "87 jobs are lost as Chartbusters shuts DVD stores". Independent.ie. 2010-10-30. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
  18. ↑ "Chartbusters Limited - Irish Company Info - Vision-Net". www.vision-net.ie. Retrieved 2023-12-20.
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