Video series spotlighting UK record stores returns for 12-episode run

Documentary series Behind the Counter is returning for a seventh season, with 12 episodes visiting independent record stores across the UK.

Started six years ago, Behind The Counter is one of the "largest-reaching and longest-running" documentations of UK-based record stores, racking up around 5.6 million views so far and spotlighting 70 independent record stores over time.

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The latest series - which is presented by Record Store Day and Classic Album Sundays in collaboration with Bowers & Wilkins - will premiere every Tuesday at 10:AM GMT, kicking off on January 27 for 12 weeks until Record Store Day, which takes place this year on April 18.

Stores set to feature in this series include Bristol's Black City Records, Glasgow's Monorail Music, Newcastle's Vinyl Guru, Edinburgh's Underground Solution, London's Roan Records, and Hull's Wrecking Ball.

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The project's return comes amid a continued resurgence of physical music in the UK, with the Entertainment Retailers Association's (ERA) 2025 end of year report finding that sales grew by 11.5% to £368.1 million last year, with an 18.5% increase in vinyl sales alone.

"There’s truly no greater way to explore new music than at a record store with knowledgeable staff and that’s the fundamental reason why our Behind the Counter series celebrates these passionate people and institutions," says Classic Album Sundays founder Colleen Murphy. "Long live the record shop!”

The seventh season of Behind the Counter will be available to watch via Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, and YouTube every Tuesday from January 27. Check out the trailer below. 

Megan Townsend is Mixmag's Deputy Editor, follow her on X