Originally established in April 2004 under the name VINYLONDECK, the business rebranded as VOD Music in 2006 to reflect its expanding focus beyond vinyl to a broader range of musical formats. Since then, VOD Music has become a key part of the North East Wales music scene, known both for its record shop and its organisation of record fairs.
In response to a lack of local music outlets, VOD launched its first record fairs in 2006, taking them “on tour” to towns without record shops across the region. This mobile approach continued until 2023, when the decision was made to refocus on Mold, the shop’s hometown. In 2024, VOD introduced a refreshed record fair format in Mold, featuring rotating and guest dealers, while keeping its record shop open during the events for the first time.
VOD Music’s record shop opened in 2009 and gained recognition in 2015 as the UK’s smallest independent record shop, with just 67 square feet of floor space. Despite its size, the shop maintains a large and diverse inventory, regularly taking part in Record Store Day since 2010, as well as National Album Day and Black Friday events offering exclusive releases.
In August 2024, VOD Music moved to a larger location at No. 24 New Street, just a few doors down from the original site. The shop is now open three days a week—Thursday to Saturday—and offers a Reserve and Collect service for new vinyl. It also stocks high-quality audio products from Russ Andrews, specialists in hi-fi cables and power conditioners.
Over the years, VOD Music has hosted pop-up stalls at gigs and festivals, including the BBC 6 Music Festival in Liverpool, and has been featured on BBC Radio 2 and 6 Music, as well as in numerous music publications. The ongoing vinyl revival continues to draw attention to the shop, especially during Record Store Day, which is marked with live music, special events, and record fair celebrations.
