James Draycott is a committee member of the Sunninghill Comrades Club in Ascot. He had an idea to make the club some extra revenue, to attract new members and to give the regulars something to enjoy. He thought the club could do with a jukebox.

James never realised what a job he would have persuading the rest of the committee that this might be a good idea. The club got by playing some old CDs from behind the bar or by putting on the radio.

The rest of the committee had plenty of concerns regarding the installation and the conversation went something like this:

“We can’t afford the cost of installing a jukebox.”

So James pointed out that if they went with Hire Jukebox they could have it installed at no cost. In fact they would save the cost of the CDs they were currently buying. Nobody could really argue with this.

“What about if it doesn’t take the money. Do we have to pay anything?”

James said that the answer was no. There is no cost at any time. The jukebox is installed on a trial period. If it doesn’t take any money then it’s simply removed. “Nothing ventured nothing gained,” said James. But he could tell the committee was still not convinced.

Even when the jukebox was being installed some of the members were overheard saying, “Nobody’s going to play that in here, we’re mainly old folk.”

What they didn’t realise, is the jukebox is not just for a younger crowd. Yes it has all the latest songs and albums updated every week online but it also has an unbelievable music library of over 30,000 songs of popular eras and genres.

“Enter any date since 1952 and the jukebox gives you the Top 40 charts of that week”

Strangely, it was the same people who had been very negative about the jukebox who showed the most interest after it was installed. One thing they were particularly impressed by was the “date search” feature.

Enter any date since 1952 and the jukebox gives you the Top 40 charts of that week. In other words, this particular jukebox has every single UK Top 40 chart release.

That same crowd ended up putting in over £20 that afternoon. Playing popular 50’s and 60’s classic tunes.

But the Sunninghill doesn’t just have on older crowd it has a young crowd too and they are using the jukebox and staying around for longer in the club, so it is working.

James and a few others were determined to make this jukebox a success. It was on trial period and they wanted to do everything they could to inform everyone about the jukebox and help to promote it. They put posters, table-top cards and a special blackboard notice up around the club to inform the members. The jukebox was also placed in a great position, right by the bar, so the members have to walk past it to use the toilets. This has also contributed towards it success.

The outcome is – it’s here to stay. The jukebox has been a huge success. James has proven that his thinking was right. The club is attracting new people and they are staying to enjoy the atmosphere for longer. The jukebox has also proved to be profitable as well. Hire Jukebox provided high quality Wharfdale speakers to give it a better sound. We also set the jukebox to play background music, so it gives the club a good feel from the moment the members walk in.