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New record shop celebrates successful opening weekend

Monday, 26 October 2026 at 12:34

The shop opened on 5 Railway Road in Ilkley last weekend.

A new independent record shop has opened in Ilkley, with its owners celebrating a successful first weekend despite the stormy weather.

Needle & Fern welcomed its first customers over the weekend, with owners Caroline and Gordon thanking local residents for their support.

The shop opened on 5 Railway Road in Ilkley last weekend.

The pair have spent months planning and preparing the shop, and said they were overwhelmed by the number of people who visited during its opening weekend.

In a message shared on social media, Caroline and Gordon said:

“Our first weekend at Needle & Fern is officially done, and we’re honestly a little bit blown away.

“To everyone who braved the weather to come through our doors, bought a record, had a browse, stopped for a chat, shared a kind word or simply popped in to wish us well - THANK YOU.

“We’ve spent so long talking about this little record shop, planning it, building it and wondering whether anyone would actually turn up.

“To see so many of you walk through the door this weekend, despite the weather doing its best to put you off, has been pretty special.”

The owners also thanked their nephew Mitchell, who helped out during the shop's first Saturday of trading.

They added:

“The warmth, encouragement and support we’ve felt from Ilkley and beyond has been incredible, and we couldn’t have asked for a better start.

“We’re exhausted, overwhelmed beyond words, and not entirely sure what’s just happened. But we’re very, very happy.

“From both of us, thank you for making our first weekend one we’ll never forget.”

Needle & Fern is the latest independent business to open in Ilkley, offering music fans a new place to browse and buy records.

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