A Knowle-based record store which opened less than a year ago has been nominated for Best Independent Record Shop at this year’s Independent Music Awards.

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.

In addition to recognition from the music industry via the Association of Independent Music’s (AIM) Independent Music Awards, Slow Century 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.

The news comes as the vinyl specialist 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 Sat 29 Aug.

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, featuring 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.

For more than 20 years, owner John 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 and Friends present Summer Jam takes place at The Ale Rooms, Café Viola, Slow Century Records and The Vaults in Knowle, West Midlands, from 10am until late on Sat 29 Aug.