Music to our ears: The power of Berwick Street

There’s no place in the capital better than Berwick Street for music and vinyl records. So much so, that it’s still widely renowned as the central hub for independent record shops in London.

Did you know how culturally important this street really is? Berwick Street was the location for the cover shoot of the 1995 Oasis album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory. Even before then, this reputation had already been established. Hailed as the “Golden Mile” of vinyl or the ‘Vinyl Mile’, in the 1990s the street occupied over 20 independent stores, cementing its position as the host to the greatest concentration of record shops in Britain.

In the era of digitalised music, the way we consume music has changed substantially, and physical music purchases have naturally seen a decline amidst the mass transition towards quick and easy online consumption.

Although the area no longer lays claim to quite so many independent record stores, it remains a major destination for music fans everywhere. From Reckless Records to Sister Ray there is a plethora of music to be indulged in, whether your preference lies with classical or hip-hop.

To pay homage to this rich heritage of independent retailers, it was of the upmost importance that our new re-generation project sustains the eclectic retail experience of Soho. We’ve achieved this by ensuring that each of the 12 new units will be occupied by independent retailers!

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