Rough Trade to open record shop in Denmark Street, home of the British music industry

Tamara Davison
Rough Trade has grown into an international brand after opening its first shop in west London in 1976 (Getty Images)
Rough Trade has grown into an international brand after opening its first shop in west London in 1976 (Getty Images)

Denmark Street in central London will welcome its first-ever record store when Rough Trade opens its doors this October.

The street is famed for its connections to the UK music scene including the birth of Britpop and has been called the perfect location for the new vinyl store.

It has long been known as Tin Pan Alley and has been associated with an eclectic mix of musicians, songwriters, artists and publishers, and has links to anyone from David Bowie to Jimi Hendrix. The street is home to multiple guitar shops and music venues, and from mid-October, music fans can visit the two-storey store and pick up vinyl, clothing, books, band merchandise and even attend signings.

It’s the fourth Rough Trade location to open in the capital, alongside Rough Trade East, Rough Trade West and Soho.

Denmark Street has played an important role in British music for many decades (Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)
Denmark Street has played an important role in British music for many decades (Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)

Reflecting on the new store opening, Lawrence Montgomery, Rough Trade’s managing director, said: “We are thrilled to bring Rough Trade to London’s iconic Denmark Street, a location that holds such a profound place in the city’s music history.”

“With its rich heritage and ongoing legacy, Denmark Street is the perfect setting for our next chapter, fostering its own unique community, while also offering all the vibrancy and expertise customers have come to expect when visiting Rough Trade.

He added: “We look forward to welcoming music fans to explore, discover and celebrate music and culture, continuing our tradition of being more than just a record store.”

Since opening its doors for the first time in 1976, Rough Trade has become a household UK name for its collections of vinyl music. It has also hosted a number of in-store performances by famous faces; however, its new location will not include a performance space.

The brand's continued success signals the popularity that vinyl music still enjoys across the UK.

Where are Rough Trade’s record shops?

The new opening will take Rough Trade to seven music stores across England. Their locations are:

  • Old Truman Brewery, London, E1

  • Talbot Road, London, W11

  • Denmark Street, London, WC2

  • Beak Street, Soho, W1

  • Liverpool ONE, Liverpool, L1

  • Nelson Street, Bristol, BS1

  • Broad Street, Nottingham, NG1

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