JG windows is Newcastle’s longest standing location for all music goods, whether it be instrumentation or physical music presses – Vinyl, CD and the like
It is currently on sale on the open market for the first time in its 115-year history
Found in the Central Arcade by Monument, the store boasts three floors of musical items including an extensive catalogue of vinyl releases
Stewart Hindmarsh as the current chairman of the business has led JG Windows for the past two decades
There have only been two owners in the business’s extensive history
With Hindmarsh looking to retire, JG Windows are looking for someone with the same level of commitment to the business that he has brought
The Staff have always been lovely in my own experience, and many others agree
Their page on Trustpilot highlights the dedication to helping each customer with grace and kindness:
Continuing the legacy of the place will be no easy feat for who is chosen to carry the torch after Stewart
Vinyl and physical releases of music has seen a major uptick this year
Sales of physical music have seen an increase of approximately 13.2 percent in the first three quarters of 2023, based on statistics released by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI)
With Record Store Day’s Black Friday event announcing a lineup of over 175 exclusive releases, there is still a lot of potential for JG Windows to continue to grow
The beauty of these exclusive releases is that avid fans of traditional modes for consuming music had the chance to physically own a release that is made with limited quantity
Below is a list of the releases that were announced for Record Store Day 2023:
- AURORA: The Woman I Am 7”
- Belinda Carlisle: Remixes 2LP
- Black Sabbath: Never Say Die! LP
- Dermot Kennedy: Sonder (Exclusive Pic Disc) LP
Record Store Day is an event that celebrates the culture to be found in independent record stores across the UK. More Information can be found on the official website here.
On Record Store Day, a wide variety of exclusives are announced and there is usually something there for everyone, the list above shows just a snapshot of the genres that can be found within these style of release
Last year, an exclusive release of recent Taylor Swift Album ‘Folklore’ became the first Record Store Day exclusive press to debut on the Billboard 200 in one of the top 10 spots
This speaks to the power of a physical release and the community born through tangible forms of music
JG Windows as well as being home to a lot of cult classic albums, are also consistently on top of new releases but how is this choice having impact on the people of Newcastle
Well, I asked a few Newcastle locals how they prefer to consume music and why to get a better idea of the impact the northeast has on the overall sales figures of Vinyl Music: