Shropshire Star

Record Store Day a success for Shrewsbury shop – despite struggles on the high street

Concerns over Brexit and low spending on the high street meant this year's Record Store Day was different but still successful, the owner of a participating shop in Shrewsbury has said.

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Andy Haddon

Andy Haddon, of Left For Dead, in Wyle Cop, said that he was expecting it to be a quieter event than in 2018.

But there were still people queueing outside his shop in Wyle Cop when he arrived to open up.

"We had guys queueing outside at 10.40pm on Friday, and it was cold – about one degree. They had been queueing for nearly 12 hours.

"It was really busy. With the current climate, I was expecting slightly quieter than last year. There's been a steady flow – it's been about the same.

"People aren't spending as much money all across retail. I didn't order as much stock this year as previous years, but I'd be happy to sell out of everything today. If you order less, it means you still make money. People have to remember that retail isn't the same as it was 12 months ago."

Mr Haddon said people were spending less because of Brexit.

Impact

"Whether that's Debenhams going into administration or HMV – there are a lot of retailers that are struggling, and a lot of that is down to people being cautious with their money.

"It doesn't matter how you voted, there's been an impact on people. You can't get away from it. Most of the news is negative, whether you're leave or remain, and that's had an impact on people.

"It's like when England has a good World Cup. The sun seems brighter, the county is buoyed up by it. Brexit is the opposite of that.

"But in the context of all that, Record Store Day was amazing. Most people who come in are regulars, and it's nice to celebrate that the shop is still here despite everything."

Record Store Day is the one day of the year when more than 200 independent record shops all across the UK come together to celebrate their unique culture.

Special vinyl releases are made exclusively for the day and many shops and cities host artist performances and events to mark the occasion. Thousands more shops celebrate the day around the globe in what’s become one of the biggest annual events on the music calendar.