Left For Dead is relocating! All details here.

Unfortunately Left For Dead, The shop which I have been a semi-regular visitor of since it's opening in late 2013 has had to move to a new location. As the owner has said himself,* "trade has really slowed since December and once I had costed everything up, it simply wasn't viable to keep the CF shop running". It has been obvious that this was a possibility to me as a customer for some time. The custard Factory has been a bit lifeless lately. This may be partly down to the also sadly missed Urban Village. Yet I should mention that The Urban Village still holds vintage fairs in the Custard Factory and closed because of the owners decision to retire. 
Even though Left For Dead was by far the best independent in Birmingham (in my opinion), The Music & Video Exchange, Swordfish, Milque and Muhle, The Diskery, and Polar Bear records are all still active, and hopefully doing well. As well as one or two stalls in The Oasis Market. 

https://www.facebook.com/LeftForDeadshop/photos

Left For Dead's new site is in Shrewsbury. In Andy's own words "Shrewsbury is a great town and the shop is in a fantastic location; 5 minutes walk from the train station and a couple of minutes walk from the major car parks. There's a bunch of excellent pubs, restaurants and bars nearby. I've got lots of plans and ideas for the new shop; alongside Left For Dead's continuing commitment to carrying quality new releases and back catalogue I am also going to open a coffee den on the second floor. I will also continue to put on in-stores and I have already had discussions with a venue in Shrewsbury regarding promoting touring bands." The store is being prepared to open on 14 Wyle Cop, officially opening it's doors on the 27th. Personally I feel sad that Left For Dead is leaving The Custard Factory, but I cannot begrudge, Andy for making the decision to move. I will miss the in-stores, and the freebies that I have been given along with my new CD's (Yes, I still buy CD's). I've discovered many great bands through the freebies. Such as Nils Bech, Vertical Scratchers, Cymbals, Twilight Sad, Evans The Death, Diagrams and many more. Independent record stores are a big part of any area's music scene. I will make an effort to visit Shrewsbury at some point, the new shop already looking bigger and a bit nicer than the old one. Shrewsbury's gain is Birmingham's loss, and a reminder that an independent is for life, not just Record Store Day.

*Source: Email for loyalty card holders