MUSIC lovers young and old in Wokingham will be queuing up to get their hands on some exclusive releases as part of Record Store Day next month.
Independent retailer Beyond the Download, based at Holme Grange Craft Village in Heathlands Road, will be the place to be on Saturday April 22 as they celebrate the 10th annual Record Store Day.
Ian Biles, who runs the store, said he was looking forward to hosting his first Record Store Day.
He said: “I set up Beyond the Download several years ago as an online mail-order company, specialising in vinyl, but we have become so popular that it made sense to open up a shop.
“I liked the look of Holme Grange because it was the unit was the right size for us, and the rents weren’t extortionate like they are in the town centre.
“Record Store Day is unique because it is just for the independents, there is exclusive content being released just for us.”
Ian and his assistant Dominic Hurrell held a launch event last Tuesday (21) at the nearby Grange Chocolate Cafe, which allowed customers to peruse a list of the items that will be available to and purchase on April 22.
Ian said: “I’ve been quite surprised by how many people have turned up. It’s nice to see such a mix of people too, we get everyone from grandparents, parents and teenagers coming in to look at vinyl. I wouldn’t say that it is a vinyl revival, vinyl is now well and truly back.”
Record Store Day takes place on Saturday April 22 from 8am. For more information and to take a look at the list of music on offer, visit www.beyondthedownload.uk.