click here for The Eclipse Records website

When did Eclipse first open?
December 2017

Who's in charge?
Family owned business managed by Ellie Eclipse

How did you get involved in the first place?
Set it up in 2017 after having run mail order on and off since 1997

What do you specialise in?
New and second hand, chart as well as independent but we particularly specialise in heavy rock & metal (unsurprising given where we’re based), indie, alternative, grunge, jazz, alt pop, and a specialist cool label section where we deal directly with labels – like yourselves 😊 we are mainly vinyl but do stock merch and some CD too

Do you trade on-line?
Yes

How has your shop changed since vinyl made a comeback?
We opened on the upside, which has continued apace

Can you describe your typical customer?
Thankfully we don’t have one – we are a broad church (ironic as our retail unit is in a working church) and have a lot of prog heads, metal heads, indie heads, jazz heads, plus also attracting a younger client base with the rise in pop/alt pop and diversifying with merch and also offering a student discount

Which two or three artists are you currently seeing most demand for?
Taylor Swift, Lana Del Rey, Arctic Monkeys, and lately for obv reasons Oasis

How to you see the next two or three years for the shop?
Looking to develop more in stores and outstores, after successful events with Big Special and Soft Cavalry, and perhaps dip our toe back into releases – we released two electronic LPs by the Home Current on our sister label Lonely Mountain a couple of years back

How do you feel about Record Store Day?
Without doubt it has been massive in raising the shop profile in the early years, but it does come with stress – the outlay and time required is phenomenal but it is also exhilarating. Would like to see more focus on quality releases

Do you run in-shop sessions/signings?
Yes, and we’re looking to develop on this

You can find Pete at Eclipse Records, 6a, The Crossing at St. Paul's, Darwall St, Walsall WS1 1DA
and check out their website Eclipse Records