Glasgow's first-ever vinyl record factory is set to open in the city next spring.

Rockvinyl has secured premises within a 7000-square-foot industrial building in the city's East End and will be the country's second record-pressing plant. 

Ahead of its launch, the start-up is looking to raise £1.75 million from vinyl aficionados and the investing public in a public share issue, with shares priced at £5 per share.

The proceeds will go towards building three AD12 vinyl pressing machines, which are due to be delivered to Glasgow in early spring ahead of Rockvinyl taking its first orders.

Funds will also be used for employing pressing staff and finishing staff who will be trained by specialist consultants in vinyl pressing.

Once it is up and running, the plant has a target run of 60,000 records per month and plans to offer fair prices, quick turnarounds, and optimised production lead times.

Rockvinyl already has a board of non-executive directors including Regular Music CEO Mark Mackie, and Mark Wilson who managed groups such as Orange Juice, The Bluebells and Trashcan Sinatras.

Experienced investors David Low, Peter McGowan and Denis Kinane are also involved, as is Simple Minds frontman Jim Kerr who supports the new venture. 

He said:  “I am delighted to hear about some great news from Glasgow in regard to the music industry.

"People know that for the last thirty, forty years Glasgow has produced some amazing music, some amazing labels, amazing bands, venues and events but finally Glasgow is going to have its own vinyl pressing plant.

"Rockvinyl is the missing piece of the jigsaw."

It comes after a recent surge in demand for vinyl, with 2023 being a 'record' year for sales. 

The team behind Rockvinyl is determined to deliver better sound and an improved artistic experience to customers as well as providing quality, sustainable vinyl. 

As well as this, Rockvinyl is launching its Fan Funded Vinyl initiative which will support emerging artists by allowing them to promote the crowdfunding of their vinyl LP to their fans for free. 

Managing director David Brady said:  “We are extremely excited to announce our Rockvinyl Crowdfunder and to begin pressing vinyl in our Glasgow pressing plant later this year. 

"2023 was an incredible year for vinyl record sales, with the growing global demand showing little sign of letting up. 

"In addition to working with global record companies, well-known independent labels and artists, we are very much looking forward to giving more breakthrough artists the chance to monetise their music, many for the first time, through vinyl records."

To find out more about Rockvinyl, click here.