PICTURE a shop that really excites you, one that makes your heart jump as you draw closer to the entrance, one with a feel (and perhaps even a smell) all of its own, where the staff seem like friends, and where you could buy everything on the racks and still go back next week for more.

Music lovers will recognise from the description above the humble independent record shop, a former staple of the high street that in recent years has taken a hammering from CD sales in supermarkets and digital downloads, but which has, against all odds, staged a comeback based on public affection.

This Saturday, the pleasures of independent record shops will be celebrated up and down the land as part of Record Store Day, and at least two shops in Echo land will be among those joyfully spinning (and selling) soon-to-be limited edition releases.

So where has it all started to go right?

Chris Rose, has just opened Rose Red Records in Boscombe’s ornate Royal Arcade after a decade as a collector of vinyl, and latterly a stall holder selling cherished platters at the town’s underground market.

“There’s a whole ethos to an independent record store. It’s a feeling more than anything. It goes against commercial trends. Anyone who is passionate about music will feel passionately about independent record stores.

“There’s a real groundswell of support for vinyl records. With the charts, particularly, people feel there’s nothing for them.

“Record Store Day is something we wanted to do as part of the independent record shop family.”

At Square Records in Wimborne, celebrations for Record Store Day will be sound tracked by Brit Award nominee, Nerina Pallot, Sony signing, Murray James, and local favourites Julz and Esther.

“I’m hoping it’s not so packed we can’t get everyone in the shop. It’s a nice problem to have!” said owner, Paul Holman.

Nice problems, while still rare, are becoming a more frequent occurrence for independent record shops, whose demise (500 closed since 2004) was mournfully documented in Graham Jones’ book, Last Shop Standing.

“I was talking to Graham recently and he said this year 13 more shops opened last year than had closed, which, when you think 100 closed the year before, is pretty encouraging.

“There’s a lot of interest this year. There’s a lot of momentum in the industry.

“From the record companies’ point of view, it’s a good marketing tool. From the collector’s point of view, there’s some fantastic stuff out there.

“Queen have released a pink 7” single which is a beautiful thing even to look at,” said Paul.

“It’s a nice time. People are so keen to get hold of this stuff.

“It’s not to put on Ebay. It’s to keep hold of, and that’s what music is all about.

“A guy came in the other day and said he knew the drill from last year and would be camping outside as soon as he finished work on the Friday,” said Paul.

• Record Store Day will be held on Saturday.