The last surviving vinyl record shop in Teesside will close following owner's death

The shop's owner Tom Butchart died in June, leaving the Teesside music community devastated. In a post on Facebook, Butchart's wife Clare explained: "It has not been an easy decision. The shop was Tom’s baby and his passion of which I am and always will be immensely proud. Sound It Out Records died with Tom that day. Tom’s memory will last forever in your hearts, memories and especially in the music you play."

The staff of the shop – Chris Smith, Mel Butler, Graham Seaman, and Carl Buckle – also paid tribute to their time working there, noting: "It was more than just a record shop. You helped to build a unique space of music and friendships. We would like to thank Tom for giving us an opportunity to work at Sound It Out and it makes us proud and honoured to be part of this music community legacy."

The remaining stock at Sound it Out will be sold in auction later this year. Joanne McDonald, Catalogue Department Manager for Vectis Auctions said: “We knew Tom, being local and his passion for vinyl being shared by us. We have given the given honour and responsibility of offering the ‘Sound It Out Records Collection’ for sale through our auction house. It will be sold over several auctions (as it is a vast quantity)." Details of the collection will be posted on the Vectis website and social media over the forthcoming months.

A linchpin of the Tesside music scene, Butchart started out with a part-time job at another Stockton record shop Off The Tracks, before it went out of business in October 1996. Two years later, he took over Sound it Out from former owner Brian Alfred and was preparing to celebrate 25 years behind the counter. Sound it Out rose to fame as the subject of Jeanie Finlay's 2010 documentary which spotlighted the resilience of independent record shops and the people who keep them alive.