Mold independent record shop going strong after 14 years

Earlier this month, Colin Trueman celebrated the 14th anniversary of his Mold record shop, VOD Music, and he has no plans for the music to stop any time soon.

The blink-and-miss-it shop on New Street is the smallest of its kind in the UK at 67sq ft but every inch is filled with vinyl, CDs, cassettes, books, merchandise and accessories. And of course you get the incredible knowledge of owner Colin.

VOD Music in Mold

In his time with VOD Music, the 67-year-old has seen plenty of ups and downs in the industry but says the demand for vinyl is still there, and growing.

This is no more evident than on the annual celebration of independent record shops, Record Store Day (April 22), when Colin will see a queue of customers lined down the street, all waiting patiently. And those customers cover a broad spectrum of ages and music tastes.

The big music lover said: "It all started with record fairs in 2006 in Mold, the idea being about bringing records to the town, as there were no music shops. I wasn't a dealer but I'd get them to come to the area. It was a bit like bringing the circus to town really.

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VOD Music in Mold

"I got the keys in 2008, and when I opened in 2009 it was during a recession, and I started with a handful of secondhand vinyl.

"But since then, it's pretty much been an upward trend.

"We took part in our first Record Store Day in 2010, and that's been a big factor in getting people's interest back in vinyl."

Throughout the covid pandemic, obviously Colin couldn't hold record fairs but customers would reserve items and collect them at the door once allowed.

VOD Music in Mold

He said: "The customers were very good, and kept ordering things, keeping me going. I'd keep them here until such a time that they could pick items up. The vinyl community keeps you going.

In a world full of streaming and downloads, what does Colin think the pull is for people buying records?

He said: "I think the internet was seen as the killer of things but in a way it's made people realise they want to own something.

"The artwork is a big part of it, and it just sounds better.

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Themed mugs VOD Music in Mold

"It's encouraged a new generation, and in some cases kids are encouraging their parents to get their vinyl out the attic.

"At the start, apart from reissues, there wasn't much coming out on vinyl but since Record Store Day started, most artists are doing it, almost everything comes out on vinyl these days. I've new releases every week."

A variety of formats available at VOD Music in Mold

The secret of Colin's success? He adds: "Initially this was a bit of a wind down to retirement but I don't think I've got a retail head, it's because I'm more from the fan side of things. But ultimately, I couldn't do it without the support of the customers."

• VOD Music is open Thursday to Saturday, 10am-4pm, and available by appointment. Ahead of Record Store Day, VOD Music is hosting a record fair at Connah's Quay Civic Hall on Saturday, March 11, from 10am-4pm. On RSD itself, April 22, there will also be a record fair event at the Daniel Owen Centre in Mold.