A HIGH-FLYING business couple who once played key roles in establishing a multi-million pound company opened a highly successful second hand record shop which is about to celebrate its first anniversary.

Julie and Brian Rosehill, 64 and 67 respectively, are managing cafe, restaurant and pop-up record shop Viva Vinyl in Queen Victoria Avenue, Hove.

Although the business has thrived in its first 12 months, Brian suffered an accident which delayed the couple when it came to promoting their business straight after its opening.

Julie said: “When Brian was handing out flyers to promote Viva Vinyl he fell from some stairs and landed on his head. He had to have spinal surgery at the hospital in Haywards Heath and was there for three months.

“He was paralysed. His condition deteriorated and we didn’t know if he would ever get him back to his previous level.

“Brian is confined to a wheelchair and he has also had Parkinson’s for 26 years.

“His tablets started to make him hallucinate and he was in a terrible way. Sometimes he thought there were people in the house or he was being stabbed.

“These problems started in March but since the doctors reduced the dosage he is better.”

Despite Brian’s situation he has proven to be a real fighter because of his love for vinyl and he has always wanted to own a record shop.

Julie added: “Brian is passionate about music and vinyl. His mobility may be limited, but he is still very enthusiastic.

“He loves meeting customers and he purchases new vinyl online to add to our stock.”

Brian has been collecting vinyl records since he was a boy and there are 10,000 records in the shop.

The couple have been married for 39 years. They met when they were work colleagues at British Steel in London. They have two sons, Daniel and Brett.

Brian and Julie built up the Voucher Shop from zero to a £28 million turnover between 1991 and 2006.

After they sold the business to Sodexo they went on to manage and work at another two companies, SVM Global and Flexitconsultancy, which advised customers on voucher schemes.

Julie said: “Originally we were going to open Viva Vinyl in a garage but luckily this property became available.”

With their creativity and ample business experience, they incorporated a cafe and pop-up restaurant in the shop.

They also have Julien Beuriot, former head chef at Le Nantais, working at their restaurant.

Julie added: “We are a little outside of town, but we are in a fantastic location.

“We have free parking, so customers can have the convenience and flexibility to buy a lot of vinyl, or sell a lot of theirs to us.

“I don’t find the competition intimidating. We sell second-hand vinyl and we are in a good location because parking is a big problem in Brighton.

“We also have a cafe and pop-up restaurant where customers can enjoy meeting up, socialise and enjoy a cup of coffee.

“With all the main high street music stores dying out we spotted a gap in the market.

“Viva Vinyl aims to buck the trend of online downloads and make music buying a social activity once again.

“We are very pleased the vinyl revolution is taking place. We get a variety of age groups coming into our store.

“Once there was a man who came in with his son who was collecting Michael Jackson.

“We also get older people buying our vinyl because they want to replace their CDs. We also run a record fair in Haywards Heath.

“Because Brian’s health has recovered immeasurably over the past 12 months, the Rosehills will be holding an anniversary party next month. There will be a music quiz night with prizes to offer and a valuation day for people to have their collections valued.”