The Vinyl Countdown: 5 Record Stores Bringing The Vinyl To You
It’s tough not being able to have a gander around our favourite record shops. It’s lovely chatting to the managers, listening to new records, perhaps having a drink, meeting like-minded people and getting excited when we find that one golden gem hiding in the back of the box!
Luckily, we live in an age where we can stream our favourite tunes at the push of a button however, nothing quite beats holding your brand-new vinyl.
Meet 5 record stores who are doing everything they can to ensure you can still get your vinyl fix!
1. Wilderness - Manchester
In the heart of South Manchester, Wilderness is the place to either have a beer, start your record collection or attend the latest ‘zine launch. Covering all genres and supporting the local scene, Wilderness have gone one step further and are offering a free bike delivery service.
“Basically, we decided to do local delivery because people still want records and customers make a small saving as we cycle to their doorstep for free,” states manager, Mof. “It’s a nice thing to do as well, like the old bakers and butchers doing their rounds on bicycles”.
Sending staff member Hannah out on her bike “making sure she’s sanitised head-to-toe” the shop says, “it’s really pleasant to allow for some social interaction, albeit a socially distanced one, because shops - record shops especially - are more than just commerce - we’re a part of the community, and music is very much a social thing”
2. Vinilo – Southampton
Vinilo is the music-hub for any music fanatic based in Southampton. Greeted with friendly faces, a chatty Virginia behind the counter and a cracking hot drink, Vinilo are offering a wonderfully safe ‘click and collect’ option on their records.
All you have to do is place your order and wait for an email to come through asking you to book your collection slot! Operating Monday to Saturday (because even God rested on Sunday!) your 15 minute slot will keep you safely at a distance from any other customer. Unfortunately, there is still no entry and no browsing, but Virginia states:
“a member of the Vinilo team [will] greet you outside with your order! This is to keep all our customers and team safe. It’s working really well with more collections from store than ever.”
3. Idle Hands - Bristol
With the main aim of the shop being to represent Bristol’s thriving dance scene, Idle Hands remains true to supporting local artists, labels and DJs and their ‘international perspective’ of stocking makes them one of the favourite places to visit by music fans. By also not allowing anyone in the shop this lockdown they state, “customers can select 'local pick up' at checkout on our website, from there we process their order and let them know when they can collect”.
“People knock on the door and we pass the records out to them whilst masked up.”
4. 101 Collectors Records - Farnham
Originally established in 1991, 101 Collectors Records is your one stop shop for records old and new. With a timeless interior and an authentic aesthetic, expect to be greeted by a friendly Andy behind the counter whose recognisable charm is the heart of the business. Click and collect was a no-brainer for 101 Collectors Records and they are putting their customers first to make sure that magical vinyl can be in your hands as soon as you need!
5. Pie and Vinyl - Portsmouth
With an ethos stating they aim to be a friendly shop, unlike the ones we have all been in at least once where it feels you need to pass a music exam to enter, Pie & Vinyl in Portsmouth are offering a safe click and collect option so you can still get your vinyl fix. By ordering online and then having the option to visit the shop from Thursday – Monday 12-3pm, manager Steve states, “The shop will be closed, and the door locked – so use our new innovative piece of tech – the doorbell and let us know you are here.”
“We’ll ask you for your order number, and fetch the goods – all outside the shop and 2 meters away from your lovely person at all times”
So, there you have it. Even when the world is on stand-still, your vinyl table can keep turning. Nothing can stop the music playing, not even a pandemic. So, don’t forget to support your local record shops and keep the magic alive.
Words by Jasmine Hodge
@ObviouslyItsJaz