On Saturday, July 4, Tom Berry realized a dream with the grand opening of 3 Phase Records, a new independent record shop located in Birmingham’s historic Gun Quarter. What surprised Tom most wasn’t just opening the doors of his store in a Grade II-listed 18th-century building, but the remarkable journey many customers made to be among the first inside—some traveling all the way from the Isle of Wight, catching the earliest ferry to make it in time.
3 Phase Records is a two-storey haven for vinyl lovers, stocked with over 5,000 records. While the store specializes in underground electronic music, it also offers a wide range of genres including techno, house, trance, hard house, drum and bass, and Northern Soul. Among its treasures are thousands of rare, collectible, and hard-to-find vinyl records, carefully curated to please serious collectors and enthusiasts alike.
Tom Berry opened the store after years of growing his online presence and looking for the perfect physical location. He expressed awe at the dedication of music fans who traveled from across the UK—London, Manchester, the Midlands, and notably the Isle of Wight—to support an independent shop devoted to niche genres.
“Streaming has changed how people listen, but it hasn’t replaced the thrill of discovering records, chatting with fellow collectors, and supporting independent shops,” Tom said. “That’s the community and vibe I wanted to build with 3 Phase Records.”
Aside from the extensive vinyl collection, 3 Phase Records offers listening stations and exclusive merchandise, creating an inviting space for music lovers to explore and connect.
Birmingham has long been home to treasured independent record stores such as The Diskery on Bristol Street, Swordfish Records on Dalton Street, and Ignite Records currently in Great Western Arcade. 3 Phase Records now joins these celebrated establishments as a new destination for vinyl enthusiasts.
Visit 3 Phase Records at 45-46 Loveday Street, Birmingham, B4 6NR.