Two iconic music names combine, as legendary music store Rough Trade will open their new UK branch on arguably the most famous music street in the world – London’s Denmark Street, once known as ‘Tin-Pan Alley’.
This will be the very first time the iconic street has had a record shop. Rough Trade will join the many instrument shops and music venues on the street, making it even more of a must visit destination for music lovers. Rough Trade Denmark Street opens mid October.
Over two floors, the state of the art store will carry a huge selection of curated vinyl across all genres for avid collectors. As customers are welcomed in, they will find books, clothing, merchandise and limited edition one offs alongside the vinyl offering.
Although the Denmark Street store will not offer a live performance space, it will host album signings and work in partnership with neighbouring venues and The Lower Third to contribute to Rough Trade’s existing out-store events programme.
For discerning music lovers, Rough Trade is the shop of choice and Denmark Street with its decades of rich musical history is the perfect home. In London it joins three other sites in West and East, as well as Soho, where the existing store in Rag and Bone on Beak Street will be re-branded to Rough Trade Vintage, becoming Rough Trade's destination for quality used vinyl in the capital. Rough Trade also has stores in Nottingham, Bristol and Liverpool.
Between 1988 and 2007 Rough Trade Neal’s Yard was a mecca for subculture, trading beneath Slam City Skates and hosting legendary in-store gigs with Beastie Boys, PJ Harvey and Jeff Buckley. Rough Trade’s first record store opened in Notting Hill, West London in 1976 and across the decades has been the definitive place for people to buy, talk about, listen to and immerse themselves in music.
Denmark Street is often described as the birthplace of the British music industry where iconic artists such as Elton John, The Rolling Stones, Sex Pistols and David Bowie hung out, made music and lived. As part of the wider immersive arts and culture district Outernet London, Denmark St has been preserved and enhanced with new music businesses continuing to open. Close by is the 2,000-capacity live venue HERE at Outernet, the largest venue in central London since the 1940s, as well two smaller venues aimed at emerging artists including The Lower Third, named in honour of David Bowie’s early band.
Lawrence Montgomery, Managing Director, Rough Trade UK 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. Our new store will house an extensive selection of curated vinyl across all genres, as well as a specialist book selection and exclusive merchandise.
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. 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.
Philip O’Ferrall, CEO Outernet Global said “I am very proud to have such a famous and well respected name come to Denmark Street. It is so fitting and continues our mission to honour and enhance the musical legacy of this area. Denmark Street has benefitted from the increased footfall the Outernet District has created and Rough Trade’s arrival will see fans coming to buy music of all genres in a welcoming and inclusive environment.”
