Vinyl makes comeback in Oswestry as record shop returns after 20 years
After a gap of 20 years, Oswestry will be getting a record shop this week stocked with vinyl records and CDs to cater to all musical tastes.
Outwhere Records is set to open in Beatrice Street tomorrow and will celebrate its launch with a party to showcase the town's musical talent on Friday.
The shop will sell new and used vinyl and CDs, and owner Gordon Mills said he has already stocked up with records from artists ranging from Radiohead and Metallica to Cat Stevens and Madonna.
Mr Mills, 53, said he had been dreaming about opening a record shop since he was a teenager. "It's something I've wanted to do for a long time, and now I'm living the dream," he said.
"I was a learning disabilities nurse before this, so it is quite a career change, but I've always wanted to do this."
Mr Mills, who lives in Morda, said the People's Vinyl Collective – a weekly event at Oswestry's Ironworks – had encouraged him to set up his shop.
He said: "I go to PVC every week and that's what helped me decide there was a demand for the vinyl. There are always lots of people there every week listening to vinyl and swapping records, seeing what everyone else has got, and enjoying the music. The sound quality of vinyl is far better than any compressed sound."
Outwhere Records will offer new and used records as well as selling online.
"Most people don't realise that almost everything that's being made is available on vinyl as well as on CD, and has a download code, so they can buy the vinyl and still download the music to listen to on an MP3 player as well."
Mr Mills is hosting a launch party on Friday at 7.30pm at Oswestry Ex-Servicemen's Club, Bailey Street, featuring bands and DJs playing a selection of vinyl records.
