What's Happening in Stoke-On-Trent, England…

The internet is widely perceived as having sounded the death knell for record shops, but many are still thriving. New generations are falling in love with vinyl and the independent shops which still stock it, and that’s partly due to the Record Store Day initiative – an occasion being marked this month by vinyl shops in Stoke.

Record Store Day was only begun in 2007, but it will be marked the world over on April 19th. Stoke-On-Trent is home to several independent retailers that will be making a big deal out of the event with flyer printing and point of sale displays, helping draw attention to the occasion.

Music Mania is going to have six local bands performing live music from midday. A local pub will also be giving people 10 per cent off for those who have purchased something from the shop that day. Assistant manager, Steve Dale, said that the business gained a number of new regular customers off the back of last year’s Record Store Day.

Rubber Soul Music will also offer live tunes. Its owner, Robert Barrs, has also had T-Shirts printed in honour of the occasion.

Over at Cannonball Records, owner Dave Hawkins is looking to stock each of the 600 limited edition releases due out that day. He too feels that Record Store Day is great for bringing new people to his shop.

“Record Store Day is really important in that it celebrates small independent businesses. On the day I’ll get a lot of people coming in after the new releases.”

He went on to say that he also expects to see customers coming for second hand originals.Get a Free Quote for T-Shirts