A NEW record shop on the Isle of Wight will aim to get local bands back into the groove when it opens its doors for the first time today (Saturday April 27).

AAA Records will sell new and secondhand vinyl, CDs, t-shirts and vintage memorabilia from its racks in Scarrots Lane, Newport.

Owners Alex Lee and Andy Barding said a top priority for the shop will be showcasing island talent.

Andy, from Cowes, said: "We will be stocking the debut Plastic Mermaids album and releases by other Isle of Wight artists.

"There is so much great music just under the radar on the island, and we want to make all that available to our customers.

AAA Records is the first full-time new-and-used music shop to trade on the Island for some years. Another, unconnected, Scarrots Lane shop, which sold new releases only, has recently ceased training.

Andy and Alex, from Ventnor, were inspired to join forces in the shop venture after sharing neighbouring stalls at a record fair in Newport. Alex went on to establish his own series of record fairs in pub locations across the Island, before the pair settled on the shop idea.

Alex, who cut his teeth in the record trade with a shop in Manchester, said: “The Island really needs a full-time record shop – one that sells as wide a selection of affordable releases as possible, but which also supports local bands and artists.”

AAA Records will stock more than 10,000 items from across the music spectrum – from rare punk 7” singles to brand new boxsets.

It opens its doors for the first time at 10am today.

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