In Dungannon, County Tyrone, Raymond Stewart of Stewart’s Music Shop recalls when the industry took a sharp digital turn. “We threw out our LP stands years ago,” he laughed. “Then we had to go searching for them again.” His family business, which recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, now sees strong demand for both CDs and vinyl. “It’s been a real lift for all of us,” he said.

Across the UK, sales of physical-format music have reached their highest point in 30 years, even as the number of large retailers declines. Independent record stores are leading this revival, including new ventures such as Vanilla Records in Cookstown, opened by Nico Devito in 2018. “People are rediscovering the joy of walking into a shop and actually holding a record,” Devito said. “You’ll always remember buying it — not the time you clicked ‘add to cart’.”

Mr Stewart believes the secret lies in creating a “destination” experience. His shop regularly hosts musicians, including Irish country star Daniel O’Donnell, who drew hundreds of fans at a recent album signing. “It just proves that people still value the physical product,” O’Donnell said.

For many music lovers, the appeal goes beyond nostalgia. BBC Radio Ulster presenter Ralph McLean says records offer a tangible connection that streaming can’t replace. “Holding the sleeve, reading the notes… It’s personal,” he said. “Vinyl has a warmth and ownership you don’t get online.”

As Stewart puts it, “People stream everything these days, but there’s still nothing like the sound of a needle hitting vinyl.”