OUR STORY

A deep love of music combined with the thrill of acquiring high-quality vinyl records

Vinyl Shakedown Records was born in Summer 2023 by Grant Decker - a lifelong music fan, vinyl collector, musician and former schoolteacher - and his partner Laura, with loving support from their two girls Nancy and Robyn. 

Grant grew up in the Medway area of Kent and quickly fell in love with the local music scene. Having met Laura in 2005 during his time as frontman and songwriter in the much-loved garage-psych band ‘The Dirty Backbeats’, the couple set up home in Hinckley, Leicestershire. 

What initially started as trading Vinyl from home, mainly to help fund and grow his personal collection, things started to escalate and it became clear that more dedicated space would be necessary. 

However, there are two undeniable catalysts which sparked the move from part-time enthusiast to full-time record shop owner. The first is the influence and support of Gordon Hayes, owner and founder of ‘Nervous Records’ in Hinckley since 1978. Nervous was an inspiration to so many music fans and vinyl collectors across the UK and further afield. When Gordon passed away in January 2023, aged just 70, ‘Nervous Records’ sadly closed.

A man with a beard and mustache wearing a black hat, denim jacket, and layered necklaces, stands behind a record store counter with vinyl records display in the background.
A man with a beard and mustache wearing a black hat, denim jacket, and layered necklaces, stands behind a record store counter with vinyl records display in the background.

Photo Credit: Amy Lupton @LairdVisuals (Instagram)

“ It’s always been my dream to open a Record Shop. We now strive to offer the best possible records at the best possible prices, anywhere in the UK ”

A man standing with arms crossed in front of a record store named Nervous Records filled with vinyl records.
An elderly man with glasses, wearing a plaid shirt and a light-colored jacket, standing inside a record store surrounded by vinyl records on the shelves and wall.

The second catalyst was the Covid pandemic. Lockdown provided Grant and his family the opportunity to look to the future. If there was ever a time to take a leap of faith - this was it. After much hard work: finding the shop, making it look warm and inviting, not to mention all the unseen administrative tasks that go into setting up a small business - the shop opened in June 2023.

Gordon’s memory and spirit lives on in Vinyl Shakedown with ‘Gordon’s Corner’, a dedicated vinyl listening area where anyone is welcome to relax and listen to music. 

Vinyl Shakedown is supported by a small team of passionate and knowledgeable staff who support Grant and Laura to make Vinyl Shakedown the best possible small independent record shop - certainly in Burbage and Hinckley - and possibly the whole of the UK.

Vinyl Shakedown continues to go from strength to strength - with valued customers regularly popping in to top up their collection, or first time buyers starting their musical journey. With increasing recognition, the shop has started to generate media interest and attract customers from across the UK, Europe, North America and even (one) from New Zealand.

Close-up of a circular design featuring the words 'VINTAGE TRAVEL' in bold, stylized orange lettering with black outlines, set against a green and black background with intricate swirling patterns.

“ We proudly claim to be the very best independent Vinyl Record shop in Burbage, Leicestershire ”

NOTE: To the best of our knowledge we are the ONLY independent Vinyl Record shop in Burbage : )