Vinylfetishes: The new Manchester record shop designed as a "safe space for pop fans"

Manchester’s mark on the British music scene is indelible. From wavey nights at The Haçienda to that iconic Salford Lads Club doorway, Factory Records’ class-clashing spirit to Moss Side's finest Cleopatra; musical lore runs through the veins of its locals.

It’s why its all-too-damp streets play host to some of the UK’s most beloved independent record shops; the likes of Vinyl Resting Place, Vinyl Exchange and Piccadilly Records (where The Smiths’ Johnny Marr was recently named ‘Record Store Legend,’ complete with a fancy plaque).

And now, Manchester boasts a brand-new indie record shop in its own lane entirely: Vinylfetishes.

Located in Ancoats’ Pollard Yard and founded by Sash and Glen Hudson on their 10th wedding anniversary, Vinylfetishes is less AC/DC, more Ariana Grande. A haven for pop purveyors hoping to secure some Emma Bunton over Eagles.

Vinylfetishes is located in quirky shopping district Pollard Yard, between Ancoats and New Islington

Now, as they gear up for their first-ever Record Store Day this weekend (April 12), we meet Sash and Glen to talk starting up, its surprises and how they've curated a 'safe space.'

Sash, Glen - hello! Congratulations on the launch of Vinylfetishes. What's your mission statement as a new, indie record store?

"We’ve been collecting vinyl for 10-12 years; mostly pop, dance and R&B music. We were relying on Amazon, hmv or artists’ own stores to buy our vinyl. We wanted to create a space for people to come in, browse and talk to likeminded people about the same kind of music we’re collecting – and not feel shy about pop music!

"Pop’s a fast-growing genre in vinyl. It was always about indie or rock music, but in the last 10 years there’s been such a growth in pop artists releasing vinyl. We’re somewhere to go for people to feel happy and confident in the vinyl they’re buying."

"We wanted to start selling things that we wanted to buy that we couldn’t get in Manchester – pop music!"

Vinylfetishes owners Sash and Glen Hudson

We love that you're so committed to serving the pop-loving contingent of the 0161 area code. Would you say that's your strongest point of difference?

"What’s different with us is social media. Customers can contact us through Instagram or TikTok if they need any information. We’ve been engaging with customers in a different way than record shops have traditionally been known to do.

"It’s our age group and younger that we’re targeting. We tend to get a lot of 20-year-olds, up to people in their 40s and 50s, buying from us. 

One thing that stands out about Vinylfetishes is just how welcoming, how unintimidating, the space is...

"We’re a couple who want to represent the LGBTQ+ community. We want them to come in and feel safe, happy and not judged. 

"As teenagers, we felt judged wanting to go out and buy Kylie when the likes of EMF, Happy Mondays and The Stone Roses were all out. It felt like people would laugh at you for wanting to buy a Kylie vinyl. We want people to come in and be able to ask for something without feeling ridiculed or stupid. That’s the aim!"

Products available at Vinylfetishes including TLC, Kylie anniversary edition and Carly Rae Jepsen

What's been the nicest surprise since setting up?

"The customers have been so friendly. They appreciate us setting up something new and different for them. We’ve gone slightly out of the lane, we’re doing something different; making the customers feel welcome, feel special.

"It goes a long way – we’re making friends with our customers. Social media really helps with that, too."

Does opening a new indie store in 2025 come with challenges, too?

"It’s not an easy process. We’re still learning, seven months in. Signing up to ERA (Entertainment Retailers Association) has helped, and registering with Record Store Day has given us visibility. 

"Getting the labels and distributors on board takes time. It’s a long process; find the right contacts, finding out which artists are going through which distributor.  

"We’re not in a rush, we want to be in this for the long haul!"

What are your ambitions for Vinylfetishes?

"We want to go into a bigger place – this is just the start! We’re getting more and more customers into this very small space, so we want to offer them a better experience. 

"We want to combine everything in one – records, coffee. Letting people listen to their purchases. Get a couple of turntables out, a couple of sofas; let people check out what they’ve just bought. 

"We just want that vibe where they can relax, chill and not have to rush off after they’ve bought a vinyl.  

"We want to make everyone feel special and welcome."

And finally, lads, what do you think the future holds for vinyl?

"More pop! There are still some artists who don’t release on vinyl, and I think pop will become bigger and bigger. This Record Store Day, there’s a lot more pop available than there ever has been. 

"Hopefully there’ll be some more vinyl manufacturing facilities in the UK; that’d make things a little easier and cheaper. 

"Vinyl’s growing massively, long may it continue!"

Vinylfetishes is one of many brilliant independent record shops participating in Record Store Day 2025. Pay them a visit this Saturday April 12 and bag yourself a special limited edition. See the full list of Record Store Day exclusives.

The Official Vinyl Albums Chart and Vinyl Singles Chart are published Fridays 5.45pm. Sign up to the Official Charts mailing list and opt in to 'vinyl' to receive special alerts about Record Store Day exclusives and more. Get the latest vinyl news from Official Charts here.