Shops and collectors get ready for ‘socially distanced’ Record Store Day which returns this weekend

Record Store Day returns this weekend with shops adopting different social distancing measures to make sure vinyl collectors can still get their hands on this year’s limited releases.

This year’s event was originally due to take place in April, however, it was delayed due to the coronavirus and the national lockdown and is now being held on Saturday, August 29.

Northampton retailers Spun Out, Vinyl Underground, Spiral Archive and Spinadisc are all getting ready for Record Store Day – with The Black Prince also hosting an event in its pub garden.

Spun Out in Gold Street and Vinyl Underground in Abington Street will both be stocking a selection of the official RSD releases and implementing different methods to make sure both staff and customers remain safe.

Spun Out will limiting the number of people inside with tighter restrictions on those queuing outside.

Vinyl Underground will be moving from above Watts The Furnishers to outside behind the shop in The Ridings.

Aidy West Harland from Vinyl Underground, said “It’s been very difficult planning and things could change still, but we are having the sale outside undercover at the back of Watts The Furnishers.

“We’ll have the RSD stock and selected bits from the shop.

“We are still having a queue as there is the space and two-meter distancing will be possible with gloves, masks and hand sanitizers on hand.

“Staff will be taking requests from people and can pick the records to cut down on any unneeded browsing. There will also be a one-way system.”

Vinyl Underground will be selling records from 8am.

Spun Out will also open at 8am and for the first two hours, it will be operating its regular ‘first come first served’ model before moving to an appointment service at 10am where people can book slots online.

In keeping with pervious years, shoppers will be able to queue up outside, but will have to adhere to additional social distancing regulations.

Chris Kent from Spun Out said: “Record Store Day is still a massive advert for the shop. Every year we still get new customers from it but it’s going to be much more challenging this year.

“There won’t be a scrum inside, it’ll be far more ordered and regulated.

“We need to make sure people feel safe and have a happy experience.

“There will be allotted time slots for eight people at a time inside and we’ll be taking lists off people before they come in and trying to help them get what they’re after.

“It does mean people won’t have as much chance to browse compared to previous years.”

For anyone who doesn’t want to queue outside the Gold Street store, they will be able to book a slot to visit after 10am which can be done now via the Spun Out website.

Spun Out will also be opening on Sunday from 11am and all of the remaining RSD stock will be available online from 6pm on Saturday.

Some of this year’s limited releases include records by David Bowie, Denzel Curry, The Fall, Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes, The Lovely Eggs, Mansun and Refused.

Looking at this year’s releases, Mr Harland said: “Quality is high again, my pick is a reissue of an extra rare 1978 soul / funk LP by Gaston.

“Things like The Cure picture discs will be well wanted, there’s also so much good jazz this year too.”

Also getting in on the act this year is The Black Prince in Abington Square which will be using its beer marquee covered garden for sellers and DJs.

Promotions manager at the venue Phil Moore said: “We are celebrating everything that is vinyl at the Black Prince to coincide with Record Store Day.

“It comes in two forms, a record fair from 11am to 4pm involving stalls from luminaries including Vinyl Underground, Spinadisc, Vinyl Barn and Craufurd Arms (record fair) organiser Jim Mallard.

“Secondly, we will have DJs from about 1pm until 11pm, courtesy of firstly Vinyl Underground and then in the evening Andy Skank.

“The whole thing is outside in our beer garden, free entry, covered by marquees, and socially distanced.”

Online retailer Spinadisc will bring a selection of its stock to The Black Prince.

Simon Starkey from Spinadisc said: “We're just going to turn up with our catalogue and let people see, we’ll have about 600 titles, lots of indie exclusives, lots of coloured vinyl lots of great music.”

Spiral Archive in St Michael’s Road will have a half-price sale from 9am until 5pm with 30-minute slots by appointment only.

It will also be selling vouchers online on Record Store Day which are worth double the amount paid and can be spent in store at a later date.

Following Record Store Day on Saturday, there will be further ‘drops’ on September 26 and October 24.

For more details, visit https://recordstoreday.co.uk