DJ, producer and label boss Paul Ridney has officially been certified as a Guinness World Record holder after taking on a 24-hour vinyl shop challenge across England's South Coast — a mission designed to shine a spotlight on the independent record shops keeping music culture alive.
Head of independent electronic dance label Paharas Musica, Ridney set out on 15 October 2025 to break the record for the most vinyl retail stores visited in 24 hours. Travelling from Brighton to Worthing, Chichester, Shoreham-by-Sea and back to Southampton using only public transport and a serious amount of walking, he racked up around 57,000 steps in the process. After an 11-month wait, the result is finally official: Ridney visited 28 stores in total and is now a Guinness World Record holder.
For Ridney, the challenge was never just about the certificate. The whole idea was to highlight the challenges independent retail stores face in the current climate and celebrate the role they continue to play in music culture, community and discovery.
“Vinyl has been a constant in my life since childhood, not only as a way of enjoying music, but as a soundtrack to important memories and moments,” Ridney said. “It ultimately led to my career as a DJ and music producer. I want to celebrate vinyl and the record shops that helped me discover music, meet people, share stories and find records I might otherwise have missed.”
Vinyl may be enjoying a well-earned comeback, but independent record shops are still facing tough times. Since Ridney completed the challenge, three of the shops he visited have sadly closed — a reminder that local record shops still need real support, not just nostalgia. There were some proper low points during the day itself too, including climbing one of Brighton’s monster hills only to find the record shop at the top was closed.
One of the biggest highs came halfway through the challenge when Ridney played an impromptu DJ set at Overdraft in Southampton, spinning some of the records he had picked up earlier in the day for staff and customers alike.
In other news, a recent Record Store Day UK 2026 report noted a 25% jump in vinyl sales, further reinforcing why the shops Ridney championed matter more than ever.
Ridney hopes the record will encourage more people to get out, dig through the racks, discover new music and support the independent shops keeping vinyl culture alive.
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