Customer profile
What was the name of your video store?
Rainbow
Where was the store located?
Newport, IOW, Other (United Kingdom)
When did you start shopping at this store?
1980
Describe your video store - what did it look like? What were its distinguishing
features?
Big bright rainbow coloured writing on the outside. Probably the only video store on the Isle of Wight at the time. Few films and also had a cafe to attract custom
What were the employees and/or owners like, and what kinds of interactions
did you have with them? What particularly memorable exchanges or events
do you remember?
We are talking punk days, me with my 18 year old brother and me only 9. I do remember everyone of the staff passionate about the films and really chatty - Neither you see these days
What other services/products did the store offer besides the rental or sale
of videos? Did this change over time?
Cafe and ear piercing. The store changed hand twice, once to company to Ritz that got rid of the cafe and piercing, then taken ovr by blockbuster in very late 80's before closing it's doors in early 90's
What video formats did the store offer (i.e. VHS, Beta, Laserdisc)? Where were
different formats kept in the store?
VHS and Betamax stored next to each other
In addition to mainstream Hollywood movies, what other kinds of videotapes
(for example children's, exercise, or X-rated) did the store rent/sell? Where were these
videos found in the store, and how often did you rent or purchase them?
All types, I believe they had an x-rated section but too young to really remember ( I know my brother frquented one section though)
Did you tend to rent or buy videos? Why?
Rent - on my pocket money in those days
During the period that you shopped at this store, what changes did you see?
The changing of hands and style. The range of video's and a major change to the blockbuster style of '24 hour rental' that was what finally killed the store. In those days there were few copies of films and people prefered when tapes had to be returned by 7pm so they could guarentee to get a film. By starting to rent for a 24 period, most films were returned 11pm the following night so at 7pm there was little stock
Is this store still open? If not, when did it close?
early 90's
In your own words, tell the story of your first VCR/video player. Where
and when did you buy it, and why did you decide to make the purchase?
present from the parent for xmas. can;t remember the details but I think it was a BetaMax
Did you ever rent a VCR or other hardware (a camera, for instance)? If so,
how often and why?
no