Iconic Bris Record Store Unleashes On Govt, Police After Closure Announcement

The team behind beloved Queensland record store Butter Beats has announced the closure of the Fortitude Valley location.

A haven for collectable records, Butter Beats has been a mainstay of the Brisbane music scene since 1998, specialising in rare Australian releases.

“After a crazy 23 years working in the Fortitude Valley, we are shutting the Valley Store,” reads a statement on Butter Beats' Facebook, with owner Jason Woodward stating that “dealing with the problems of the Valley has been trying”.

“All three forms of government, both parties, has tested my patience and financial stability/ ability especially over the last two years, and like all abusive relationship, you have to leave for your sanity and safety,” the post says.

“Twenty three years of seeing millions wasted and all forms of government destroying the character of the Valley and small business in general. The refusual to help those folks that are on the streets, preferring to ignore the 'too hard basket'.

“The resentment from years of governmental harrassment, bullying and abuse has accumulated - Police that refuse to attend assaults of staff until ten minutes after the situation (including one female staff member having a screwdriver pulled on her and cops not attending even though they had been called in great distress... ).

“Cops drove past as one of our team pushing a trolley full of records was king hit and they continued to drive. The endless stories that go unreported in the media about stabbings and assaults in the Valley every weekend. 

“On a micro level, I cannot stand looking at the council security cameras watching me, if our A frame hits the pavement in the mall we get an instant fine even though we pay a Mall levy, the council did not give us one rebate on taxes, land rates, mall levies during lockdown, no public toilets except a donger in the middle of the mall now??

“Repetitve and endless big brother public announcements over the loud speaker, the council inspectors hiding in the bushes looking to give folks tickets all day and night, the parking being substantially reduced, deceptive council parking signs, credit card parking only (which excludes credit challenged folks), lockdowns on small business while the Casino is open and the football is on, etc etc ), council cleaners which do not properly clean the spew piss and maccas wrappers every weekend (personally I think maccas should be made to clean the debris as it is their social responsibility), the gentrification of the Valley etc etc etc ...bring in a six pack and I will tell you all about it.”

It's expected the store will shut this week, with “crazy deals” being offered in order to “sell off as much stock as possible”.

Butter Beats will also be doing record fairs in the coming weeks, with more details via their Facebook.

“To all the folks that bought a record, sold a record, dropped in to tell us about the record they bought up the road, bought some paint, we love you all and thanks for all the support.”