A daily campaign to highlight the UK's independent record shops during the Covid-19 outbreak has been launched.
The social media driven #recordstoreoftheday initiative, created by music distributors, will shine the spotlight on a different outlet each day, beginning with Kingston's Banquet Records (pictured) today (March 30).
The shop of the day will appear on @recordstoreotd on Twitter, @recordstoreoftheday on Instagram and the Record Store Of The Day Facebook page.
Nearly 30 independent stores are taking part, the full list so far is below. Record Store Of The Day is being led by the UK’s music distributors Cargo, Forte Distribution, Kudos Records, Little Amber Fish, Nova Distribution, The Orchard, PIAS, Proper Music Distribution, Republic Of Music, Shellshock and SRD. It is supported by Record Store Day, ERA, AIM and the BPI; artists including Floating Points, Mathew Halsall and Alex Nut; and labels including Jazz Re:freshed, Gondwana and Eglo.
"Indie record shops are part of the DNA of the local communities they serve and now more than ever we should be finding ways to support them," said ERA's Record Store Day organiser Megan Page.
"That’s why we are urging music fans to continue buying from their local shops online where possible, asking about gift vouchers and following their local record shop's social media channels. The Record Store Of The Day campaign is a brilliant way to highlight the UK's independent shops, big and small, during this difficult time. There are great record shops in every corner of the UK and we want to keep it that way and support indies through the coronavirus crisis.”
Nigel House from Rough Trade Shops gave his support, hoping it would encourage music fans to buy directly from their local stores online.
“We love selling music," he noted. "It is always better over the counter, but at the moment it is only over the internet. We will get all our shops back open as soon as it is safe to do so, but in the meantime stay healthy, and settle for the second best option of online ordering.”
Kudos Records MD Danny Ryan urged potential shoppers to "help save independent music retail by ordering local" during the current lockdown.
“Independent record shops are the cornerstone of popular music culture," he arugued. "What many don’t realise is that they can often offer a personalised, knowledgeable, 'store counter' service over the phone and by email."
Music fans are also urged to support the shops by sharing a photo of a memorable record or piece of merchandise bought from an independent record shop using the hashtag #recordstoreoftheday on social media, stating where the purchase was made – and they could win gift vouches from the participating shops, listed below.
Banquet Records – Kingston Upon Thames
Wax And Beans – Bury
Underground Solu’shn – Edinburgh
Sounds Of The Universe – London
Empire Records – St Albans
Black Circle Records – Leighton Buzzard
Spinning Discs Sheffield – Sheffield
Up North Records – Chester
Soul Brother Records – London
Derrick’s Music - Swansea
Off The Beaten Tracks – Louth, Lincolnshire
Sister Ray – London
Record Corner – Godalming
World Of Echo – London
Intense Records – Chelmsford
Fish Records – Stone, Staffordshire
Reflex – Newcastle
Transmission Records – Margate
The Vinyl Whistle – Headingley
Grind and Groove Records – Keighley
Sound Records – Stroud
Seismic Records – Leamington Spa
Resident - Brighton
Lion Coffee & Records – London
Red House Records – Swindon
The Record Store – Ashford
More shops are expected to come on board soon. The social media campaign follows the global #LoveRecordStores campaign which was launched last week enlisting artists and famous fans to praise their favourite independent record shops.
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By Paul Stokes
