As you’ve no doubt worked out by now, we love record shops. Whether big or small, rocking a minimalist aesthetic or packing enough vinyl into their overflowing crates to wear down several lifetime’s worth of needles, we love how each and every one has something special in store for its customers. From the quirkiest locals to the big, gig-hosting powerhouses, every thirty-odd days we pick one to be our Record Store of the Month. They get a tasty gift from the Record Tokens team, and you get to discover the best independent record shops this country has to offer – it’s a win-win!
April's Record Store of the Month: Red House Records, Swindon
This month's winning shop – Red House Records in Swindon – sells brand new records, classic reissues and vintage vinyl, and have supported Record Store Day for six years. The shop was established in 2013 by owner Paul Holmes, who saw the store as a personal indulgence and an opportunity to expand his family music business. We love the expansive range of vinyl that Red House Records have to offer (all your fave genres, plus ones you never even knew about!), and we’re big fans of their active social media presence, too. So, if you find yourself in Swindon once lockdown is over, be sure to pay them a visit – and always keep some Record Tokens on you, just in case!
Paul from the store says, "Rather than learn to play the guitar during lockdown, I’ve kept really busy expanding our online shop and doing personal deliveries (free to local customers!) This has proved very popular and is something that I’ll keep up when we can reopen the shop proper.
Being situated in a Mecca for fans of the legendary English band XTC, means we also get visitors from far and wide - especially during convention season!
The shop continues to grow both in-store and now online. We stock most genres including jazz, soundtracks, reggae, hip hop and lots of prog rock (my favourite!), plus vintage vinyl, useful accessories and of course Record Tokens - so birthdays and Christmas are covered!
Being able to offer and accept Record Tokens has lifted the profile of the shop and put us on the map for a lot of new customers. The fact that they can be purchased in places like national supermarkets works as a great signpost for independent record shops. They bring increased footfall, and you can never have too much of that!"
Congratulations to the team – we hope you celebrate with your wine and treats hamper! You can find Red House Records at 21-23 Faringdon Road, Swindon. Don't forget your Record Tokens!
Previous Record Stores of the Month
March 2020 - The Rock Box Record Store, Camberley, Surrey
February 2020 - Tasty Records, Altrincham, Greater Manchester
January 2020 - The Record Café, Bradford
December 2019 - Sister Ray, London
November 2019 - Phase 1, Liverpool
October 2019 - Empire Records, St Albans
September 2019 - Record Collector, Sheffield
August 2019 - Black Circle Records, Leighton Buzzard
July 2019 - Beyond Vinyl, Newcastle
June 2019 - The Orpington, Bromley
May 2019 - Vinyl Fiction, Manchester
April 2019 - Spiller's Records, Cardiff
March 2019 - David's Music, Hertfordshire
February 2019 - Winyl, Manningtree
January 2019 - Rapture Witney, Oxfordshire
December 2018 - Crash Records, Leeds
November 2018 - Pebble Records, Eastbourne
October 2018 - Spinning Discs, Sheffield
September 2018 - Reflex Records, Newcastle
August 2018 - Banquet Records, Kingston
July 2018 - Hundred Records, Hampshire