It probably goes without saying, but we love record shops. Whether they're big or small, rocking a minimalist aesthetic or packing more vinyl than you can shake a stick at into overflowing crates, 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, we pick one each month 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 - win-win!
July's Record Store of the Month: Beyond Vinyl, Newcastle
We're going back to Newcastle for this month's winning shop, which opened its doors to the city's vinyl-lovers last year. Like the name suggests, Beyond Vinyl is about more than just the records on the shelves; a coffee shop and regular live music events make the store a destination hangout for music lovers. Owner David tells us more:
"We opened Beyond Vinyl at the end of March 2018 after working in and managing other record shops for over 20 years. I have always wanted to open a record shop of my own and do it my way.
We are a very relaxed shop with a coffee shop and seating areas, we also have a hangout/venue space in the basement which opens soon.
As well as selling new and pre-owned music, we also put on live music events and have started a monthly “Beyond Sessions” on the first Friday of the month which showcases some great local singers and bands. We also have our own beer - Beyond Beer - that we serve at our events.
A fun fact about our shop: Before we took over the shop it was a Chinese massage clinic and even though it had been closed for over a year before we moved in, we still get men coming in asking if we still do sports massages! Firstly the shop is full of records and secondly they never look like they have done any sports for a good few years…"
You can find out even more about Beyond Vinyl on their site at beyondvinyl.co.uk, or visit them at 88 Westgate Road - don't forget your Record Tokens!
Previous Record Stores of the Month
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