New specialist vinyl report retailer opens in Leeds from ex-Mercury Prize nominee

A brand-new specialist vinyl report retailer has opened at Sunny Bank Mills, the award-winning mill advanced in Farsley, close to Leeds.

Managed by vinyl obsessives Choque Hosein, Colin Richardson, Jamie Styan and John-Paul Craven, Record Plant opened its doorways on National Album Day.

Choque was a member of the Leeds band Black Star Liner, whose album Bengali Bantam Youth Experience was shortlisted for the distinguished Mercury Prize in 1999, alongside Blur, the Chemical Brothers, the Stereophonics and the Manic Street Preachers.

Choque commented: “While we had a tremendous time on the Mercury Prize awards ceremony, rubbing shoulders with icons like Damon Albarn and the Manics, I believe I’m extra excited by our new store. This is a dream come true for me.

“Vinyl is a large, large a part of my life and the Record Plant is a celebration of this. We don’t simply have an exquisite array of brand-new and second-hand records, we additionally present a first-class vinyl cleansing and de-warping service.

The Record Plant relies in 1 The Old Engine Room, a studio house with uncovered beams and old style brickwork within the coronary heart of Sunny Bank Mills. It is subsequent door to the 500-capacity Old Woollen venue, which boasts an “formidable and eclectic” mixture of music, comedy, theatre and the spoken phrase.

Choque, who has beforehand labored at Leeds report shops Jumbo and Crash, defined: “Being subsequent door to The Old Woollen couldn’t be extra acceptable.

“It is an extremely versatile and dynamic house that has already hosted well-known names like John Lydon’s Public Image Limited, Shaun Ryder, Mark Radcliffe, Gary Delaney, The Great British Sewing Bee’s Esme Young and legendary TV historian Lucy Worsley.”

“I’m tremendously grateful to William and John Gaunt, the homeowners of Sunny Banks Mills for offering such a particular house for our vinyl store.”

William Gaunt added: “I’ve been an avid report collector, gig goer and follower of the Leeds music scene for years. I first met Choque while he was behind the report counter of Crash records, after they opened reverse Leeds University within the mid-Eighties.

“So it appears like coming full circle with the arrival of the Record Plant at Sunny Bank Mills. The treasured vinyl records and discs we purchased as youngsters and college students 40 years in the past are actually extremely wanted classics. Choque and his crew’s information are second to none.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

Looking to advertise your product/service to SME companies in your area?


Find out how Bdaily can assist →