Mason Moore | Hinckley Reporter | 28 March 2023

A MUCH-LOVED independent Hinckley record shop, which was owned by late local legend Gordon Hayes for 45 years, is to re-open its doors for one day only in April.

Nervous Records, based on The Lawns, will re-open for the benefit of regular customers and friends, in three weeks’ time on 22 April, from 10am to 4.30pm.

The second-hand record shop was locally championed and frequented by residents who picked up new albums and singles for 45 years, after Gordon launched the shop in 1978, with backpay from the job centre, LeicestershireLive previously reported.

In fact, David Bowie’s famous record producer and New York native, Tony Visconti, took time out of his busy schedule to visit Gordon inside the shop, whilst he was in England as an active judge on Sky’s ‘Guitar Star’ competition show seven years ago.

And, it was even nationally acclaimed in The Guardian by music expert Marc Burrows, in a list of the UK’s ‘best record shops’, where he had described it as “a tiny treasure trove of second-hand vinyl that has been a hidden local fixture since the 70s”.

Gordon sadly passed away earlier this year at the age of 70. And, on the day of his funeral, his hearse temporarily parked up outside the shop, which saw crowds of former customers take to the streets to say their goodbyes to him for a final time.

A statement about the shop’s re-opening was posted to Facebook page Our Hinckley, which is moderated by the Hinckley and District historian, Paul Gardner.

It simply reads: “For the benefit of regular customers and friends, Nervous Records will be re-opening for one day only on Saturday, 22 April, from 10am to 4.30pm. Items can be purchased at the ticket price, with all the proceeds going towards Gordon’s charity – Hillside Animal Sanctuary in Norfolk.

“Anyone in possession of Nervous Records gift vouchers can redeem them on the above date. There may be a limited number of Tina Weatherby’s prints available on the day.”