About us

The Basement began trading in Larne in 2001. Our friendly, knowledgable staff and informal atmosphere set us apart from our 'corporate' competitors. We aim to give excellent value and service, innovating with new products and services, while maintaining the feel of a truly local business.

Company history

June 2001 - The Basement opened in Station Road, Larne, on a temporary basis as a 'sale only' store with some movies, music & books.

July 2001 - Public demand prompted the business to change to buy/sell/trade and also began dealing in games & game consoles.

August 2001 - Began selling online on the Yahoo.co.uk auction site.

March 2002 - Switched to the online 'Amazon marketplace' platform, quickly becoming a pro-merchant affiliate, and attracting online customers from every corner of the world.

Nov 2003 - Moved to current premises at 4 Dunluce Street, Larne, bringing a Ticketmaster franchise into the business.

Dec 2005 - Added rental as an option for all used DVDs, and began stocking 'rental only'  latest titles.

March 2006 - Opened 2nd store at 7 North Street, Carrickfergus.

March 2006 - Launched new basementni.com website.

October 2006 - Carrickfergus store is runner-up in the 'best small business' category at Carrickfergus Business Awards.

March 2007 - Carrickfergus store launches 'North Street Traders' in a bid to revive the appearance and commerce of North Street.

April 2007 - Appointed to executive committee of new Carrickfergus Chamber of Commerce & Trade.

April 2007 - The Basement expands it's online customer reach by also selling via the 'playtrade' platform on well known site play.com.

June 2007 - Launch of a new disc repair service available in-store or via mail-order.

June 23rd 2007- Opened 3rd store at 381 Newtownards Road, Belfast.

October 2007 - Investment in industrial standard disc repair equipment enables faster turnaround of repairs and results unrivalled by competitors. Also launch of a wholesale-level disc repair service for local businesses in N.Ireland.

November 2007 - Launch of our new, improved website.

May 2008 - Our Newtownards Road store becomes the first independent dealer in Belfast of the Games Workshop range of role-playing models and games.

June 2008 - Our Carrickfergus store becomes the first dealer in Carrickfergus of the Games Workshop range of role-playing models and games.

July 2008 - Rapid growth of our mail order business prompts a daily collection and contract service with Royal Mail.

July 2008 - A distribution deal with a manufacturer in China allows The Basement to import, sell and wholesale the R4 Revolution for Nintendo DS (and DSi as of June 2009).

September 2008 - Our Larne store relocates to much bigger premises at Unit 9 Murrayfield Shopping Centre, and begins stocking the Games Workshop range of role-playing models and games.

October 2008 - Further investment in industrial standard disc repair equipment at our new store in Larne means that a 'while you wait' repair service is now available.

October 2008 - Launch of a games console repair service via all Basement stores.

December 2008 - Launch of an internet ordering service available to all customers.

January 2009 - Launch of Skippydiscs.com, our first subsiduary company, and Northern Ireland's only professional instore or mail-order disc repair service.

February 2009 - Our Larne store becomes the first Basement store to be equipped with an internet cafe.

May 2009 - Opened 4th store at Unit 9 Throne View, Newtownabbey.

June 2009 - Expansion of our repair services to include computers, laptops and mobile phones. Also a service added for unlocking network locked mobile phones.