Record Store Day 2020 postponed due to coronavirus pandemic

13 March 2020, 14:52 | Updated: 17 March 2020, 14:35

Record Store Day 2020 has been postponed in the UK due to the coronavirus pandemic, organisers have officially confirmed.

The annual event, which was due to be held on Saturday April 18, normally sees hundreds of vinyl and cassette releases sold exclusively through independent record shops for one day only.

Read more: What music events have been cancelled due to coronavirus?

Organisers have been decided to postpone this year’s event until June 20, with up to 230 independent record shops in the UK changing the date.

In a statement shared on Twitter, the organisers wrote: “We are sad to announce that following a decision made by the organisers of Record Store Day, the event will be postponed to June 20.

"This decision comes at a time of unprecedented uncertainty and the health and safety of the general public must come first.

Look back: Record Store Day 2019: 14 of the best releases

"This was absolutely not an easy decision to make as hundreds of independent shops and labels have been working hard towards this year’s celebrations."

The statement continued: "We’re working with all of our partners and our stores to make this change as smooth as possible for everyone: customers, record stores, artists, labels and more.

"Record Store Day is everywhere and we want to hold our party when everyone can gather around safely to celebrate life, art, music and the culture of the indie record store.

"Given the challenges now facing the independent record store community we urge music fans to continue to support their local record shop in whichever way they can to see us through what is about to become a very challenging time.

"Thank you as ever for your continued support and we look forward to seeing in the record store on June 20."