Playback brings retro rentals back home

Princes Risborough’s shop Playback revives classic film rental, community spirit & nostalgia too… 

Playback, the nostalgic new addition to Princes Risborough High Street, is the brainchild of Dean and Carl; two lifelong local film lovers who have taken a bold step into the world of bricks-and-mortar retail. They instantly felt a pull toward Risborough’s warm, community-driven character. It’s exactly the kind of place, they say, where a love of movies, memories and mooching feels right at home. 

Since opening their doors, the pair have found themselves welcomed by fellow independents. They’ve enjoyed chats with the teams at Preluvable, K&B Family Butchers and Oxfam, while Crumbs Too has quickly become their go-to for a quality coffee. The sense of camaraderie on the High Street fuels their belief that Playback can be more than a shop – they hope it will become a social space, a place to browse, reminisce and maybe even discover something unexpected. 

When Carl and Dean do get time off from building the business, they’re slowly working through the area’s pubs. So far, The Whiteleaf Cross gets top marks for a pint of Guinness served just right. But for now, most of their focus is on what comes next. 

Looking ahead to the coming year, Dean and Carl are excited to welcome more locals into the store and grow their rental membership service. Their wish for the world, however, comes with a sprinkle of nostalgia: “to go back to the 1980s & ’90s, when life felt simpler and a Friday night trip to the local video shop was a highlight of the week.” That spirit; warm, communal, and analogue in the best possible way sits right at the heart of Playback. 

The shop offers DVD rentals as a cost-saving alternative to the rising monthly fees of endless streaming services, not to mention a cure for the mind-numbing scroll. Every film is under £5 to rent, with no subscriptions or annual commitments. Their catalogue mixes new releases with classics spanning the 1960s onward, ensuring there’s something for film buffs of every generation. 

Playback is also branching out beyond films: they offer IT and tech support, TV and film memorabilia, merchandise, confectionery and, naturally, popcorn. Whether you’re chasing childhood memories or simply looking for something new to watch, Playback aims to rekindle the joy of choosing a film the old-school way – in a shop filled with personality, passion and plenty of cinematic charm. 

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