Slow Century Records, the Knowle-based vinyl specialist store which opened just nine months ago, has been nominated for Best Independent Record Shop at this year’s Independent Music Awards.

The news comes as the latest addition to the UK’s music retail offering gears up to celebrate music, food, drink and community with its inaugural Slow Century Records and Friends presents Summer Jam event, alongside neighbouring independent Knowle businesses The Ale Rooms, Cafe Viola, and The Vaults on Saturday 29 August.

In addition to recognition from the music industry via the Association of Independent Music’s (AIM) Independent Music Awards, Slow Century Records is also in the running for the Best Breakout Business prize at the annual Solihull Chamber of Commerce Awards, with winners announced at a ceremony next month.

Slow Century and Friends presents Summer Jam features a day and evening programme of live performances and DJ sets spanning genres including indie, rock, and pop-punk will feature Marc Cjifer, Disc Selecta, Slackrrr, Matt Tregortha, Stuart Lennon, Ellen Egan, Takeaway Thieves, Slow Century Records Allstars, Liz Lilacs, Rats in the Belfry, and Rod & Simon across the four participating venues.

Nine specially-produced craft beers - including ‘Look Back in Amber’, ‘Hoppy Mondays’, and ‘Fools Gold’ are being brewed by experts at The Ale Rooms for the day, with a ‘Top of the Hops’ chart-style countdown celebrating the most popular choices planned.

John Ellis, owner of Slow Century Records, said: “ As we approach our first birthday, we are immensely proud of our achievements and the community we are building here.

“To be nominated for two awards just nine months in is insane! We are extremely grateful for the support a new business like this needs, and truly blessed to have such amazing customers and local businesses as our neighbours.

“Our first Record Store Day was a blast and we’d like to be able to do something again the whole High Street can enjoy - music, drinks and a BBQ seems like a cool way to do that!”

In-store discounts on records and merch will be available at Slow Century Records throughout the Summer Jam day.

Slow Century Records, named after a seminal documentary on influential US rock band Pavement, was founded in November 2025 by Pavement fan, rock DJ and mental health nurse John Ellis.

For more than 20 years, he worked as a Registered Mental Health Nurse, leading community teams and supporting people across the West Midlands.

Over the past 10 years the Solihull native has built a career and a reputation as a DJ, booker for festivals, promoter, and broadcaster known to thousands of listeners as Atom Heart Mutha.

Slow Century Records believes in the power of music to foster connections and inspire conversations.

The record shop and label actively engages with its community of music enthusiasts, fostering a vibrant space where individuals can share their love for music and expand their musical horizons.

The Association for Independent Music (AIM) has revealed the final wave of nominees for the 2026 Independent Music Awards, celebrating the creativity, ambition and diversity of independent labels and teams across the UK and beyond.

This year's nominees reflect the breadth of the independent sector, spanning genres, business models and regions, from established labels to emerging independent businesses and grassroots organisations.

Slow Century and Friends present Summer Jam takes place at The Ale Rooms, Café Viola, Slow Century Records and The Vaults in Knowle, West Midlands from 1000 until late on Saturday 29 August 2026.

For more information visit the Slow Century Records official site