Beggars Group

British record company Record label Beggars GroupFounded1977FounderMartin MillsDistributorPIAS (UK, Benelux)Redeye (U.S.)Hostess (Japan)FAB Distribution (Canada)Wagram (France)GenreVariousCountry of originUnited KingdomLocationLondon (company headquarters)New York CityOfficial websitewww.beggars.com archive.beggars.com www.beggarsgroup.ca www.beggarsgroup.de www.beatink.com Beggars Group is a British record company, founded by Martin Mills, that owns or holds stakes in various record labels, including 4AD, Rough Trade Records, Matador Records, XL Recordings, and Young. History The company had its origins in the Beggars Banquet record shops, which first opened in 1973 in Earls Court, London. In 1977, inspired by the DIY aesthetics of the British punk rock movement, which was at the height of its popularity, the shop founders decided to form an independent label and release records as Beggars Banquet Records. This became the group's flagship label and name. The first band on the label was English punk group The Lurkers; the first ever release on the label was The Lurkers' "Shadow"/ "Love Story" 7-inch single. Later in the decade and into the early 1980s, hits from Tubeway Army and Ga