STORE LOCATOR

Get ready to celebrate Record Store Day. Find your nearest record store, where you can get exclusive access to new vinyl releases, event locations, and more.

FIND A STORE
Vinyl Tap
42 John William Street, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD1 1ER
01484 517720
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UPCOMING RECORD STORE DAY EVENT

GIVE US THE BACKGROUND - WHEN AND WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO OPEN A RECORD SHOP?

Vinyl Tap Records were established in 1985 firstly as a market stall before progressing to shops in Halifax, then Leeds, before moving online only, and then reopening in our home town of Huddersfield back in 2011.With all those years of experience comes a vast amount of music and record collecting knowledge in all music genres. We have a wide ranging taste in music across our staff and we reflect that in a wide variety of stock from across the music spectrum. We stock new release albums, indies exclusives, Dinked Editions, and limited edition releases from events such as Record Store Day and National Album Day, and currently we have over 150,000 items in stock, both new and used. The shop floor houses a good snapshot of what we have in stock, but with our mail order offices and warehouse now housed in the basement floor of the shop, though the downstairs is no-longer open for browsing, if you ask at the counter the vast majority of our stock is now available in store. You can also order online for collection in store, we are constantly adding both new and used stock to the website so always worth a gander at what has been added before heading in. Again just ask if there is anything you are looking for, we are a friendly bunch, always happy to help.Our mail order department sends records all over the world, and over the years we have built up a strong worldwide base of loyal customers. We pride ourselves on offering a great, friendly service and, of course, quality records, packed well and dispatched quickly. All items guaranteed, any problems just get in touch.We are active in our local music community and host in store and out store events alongside our friends at local venues such as The Parish and Northern Quarter. A vibrant live music scene is important for every town and it's great to be a part of that. We do also occasionally release our own records on our record label, which has featured the likes of Jah Wobble, Sun Dragon and Goldheart Assembly.Call in and say hi sometime, it'd be great to see you

Give us the background - when and why did you decide to open a record shop?

Tony started on Huddersfield market back in 1985, selling various items and trading records purely because of his own interest in music…Until the records took over. We’ve then had shops in the Piece Hall in Halifax, then Leeds and then coming full circle back home to where we are now in Huddersfield town centre.

Tell us more about Vinyl Tap. What’s the vibe?

We may be biased but we really do think we are an excellent record shop. Covering all genres and all budgets both new and used, there’s something for everyone! We’re a friendly bunch, always happy to chat about all things music, and play whatever has us hooked at the moment. It’s a really nice, chilled and welcoming atmosphere I’d say.

We also currently open a small section of our basement floor a couple of days a week. This houses our mail order department to offer some clearance stock, with used items as cheap as 50p! As we say, there is something for everyone. We have a vast amount of stock, both in the shop and online. So, if you can’t find what you are after, it’s always worth asking as we may have it stashed somewhere on site. We are always happy to help. I think that’s what makes us stand out - just the sheer amount of stock we have!

Can you remember the first record you sold in your shop? What about the last?

I think when you’ve been going as long as we have, it’d be impossible to remember that first sale! Other than it happened on Huddersfield market, way back in ‘85.

The last thing I personally sold over the counter was a copy of the Handsome Boy Modeling School - So... How's Your Girl? vinyl reissue. What an album!

Do you remember your first visit to a record shop? Did you pick up any records?

My first record shop experience was at Badlands in Huddersfield - which has long since closed sadly. I bought a copy of Ash – Nu-Clear Sounds on CD. (I hadn’t got the vinyl bug yet…)

What is your favourite record shop (apart from your own!)

Sounds of the Universe in Soho, London. Always love a visit there! It caters to my tastes (funk, soul, world, etc) and is a great vibe and lay-out. Plus, they’re located in a fantastic spot with plenty of other top record shops nearby. It’s my go-to whenever I venture down to the capital.

Tell us about your favourite record shop memory

As previously mentioned, my first proper record shop experience, was Badlands in Huddersfield. I think it just holds good memories of a particular time in my life when I was really getting in to music.

Having that local record shop on my doorstep with staff that were able to recommend things was priceless really. (And was good to feed off their knowledge a bit!)

When you work in a record shop, I think that’s something that you lose a little bit. But it’s great to be on the other side of it, providing a great service, but also a social shopping experience. Like the circle of record shop life!

How successful has Record Store Day been for your store?

Very successful! Year on year, Record Store Day has been bigger and better each time - we really enjoy the occasion. Busy, with a lot of love shown for the shop. We really try to make a day of it with events etc. It’s a great day.

OTHER RECORD STORES

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