Roll On Blank Tapes up for sale in Cambridge after 22 years

A "unique" city centre property that once sold only blank cassette tapes will go up for auction on Wednesday.

Roll On Blank Tapes, in Gwydir Street, Cambridge, closed in May 2002 when "sales fell sharply and bills got higher", according to a former manager.

The shop remained derelict after it closed but it is remembered by many customers.

An estate agent said the recent listing had piqued the curiosity of many.

The building was formerly used as a post office, and a large concrete safe remains inside.

An old cassette was also found by the BBC during a tour of the site.

Ian Arbery, a former manager of the shop, said he and former owner Phil Gee came up with the idea for Roll On Blank Tapes in 1991.

He told the BBC: "Most shops sold blank tapes but it was very hard to find odd lengths as well as good makes like TDK D-C60.

"We cleaned up the old post office with a friend, I read up about blank tapes from hi-fi magazines, and we bought £450 of blank media in audio and video, floppy disks and camera tapes."

Mr Arbery said their first customer arrived at about 16:45 GMT and bought two Sony C120 tapes.

Almost two months later, the shop began placing weekly orders to keep up its stock.

But he said that after 11 years the shop had to close as "sales fell sharply, bills got higher and I could not make ends meet".

Now, more than 20 years after it closed, the building will go to auction. It has a guide price of between £125,000 and £150,000.

Luke Davenport, a chartered surveyor at Cheffins, said the building was one of the "scarier inspections" he had done, but a sense of the past remained.

"There is a real feel of an independent local service and you can still feel a bit of the old bustling atmosphere," he said.

"It has been empty for a long time and it would be good to get some fresh enthusiasm.

"I have had a few people asking for a look inside. Someone else is interested in having the sign once it is sold."

The shop was listed following the death of the building's owner.

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email [email protected] or WhatsApp 0800 169 1830