Vinyl Factory was created in February 2001, after the company purchased the world-renowned EMI vinyl pressing plant in Hayes, Middlesex. Now called Portalspace, the plant's history stretches back 100 years, to the dawn of the British music industry itself. Not long after, we bought Orlake, the oldest independent pressing facility still operating in the UK. We believe in the vitality and importance of vinyl culture. As an article in Music Week stated in May 2004: “Many people are serious about vinyl, but Vinyl Factory really is serious about vinyl.” In March 2003, we launched FACT, a bi-monthly music and lifestyle magazine. In September 2003, we opened Phonica, one of the UK’s best new independent record stores. And in June 2004, we opened Vinyl Factory Gallery, an arts space in Soho, London, with a launch and exhibition for the Glastonbury Festival. We see not only a healthy present for vinyl, but a prosperous future too – one in which vinyl culture will to continue to change, adapt and expand in tandem with digital technology. And we envisage ourselves at the heart of that process, supporting and providing avenues to enable that thriving culture to be accessible, both locally and globally. We launch our latest venue, Vinyl Factory Shoreditch, in October 2008. East London’s newest contemporary arts venue with 7,000 sq. ft of classic loft-style space over two floors, just a few seconds walk from Old Street tube/roundabout. The perfect space for arts, media, music and fashion events, shows, parties, exhibitions, presentations and dinners. The ground floor is the gallery space with white walls, a wooden floor and natural daylight on two sides. It also has a fully furbished bar and mezzanine smoking terrace covering approximately 200 sq ft. The lower ground floor is the events/performance space with white walls (with fixing points in place for drapes) and a concrete floor. There are two further bars and twelve toilets. This room also has an in-built sound system, mixing desk and fantastic acoustics. The venue has a full drinks and music licence, is permitted to open from 8am through to 3am seven days a week, and can hold more than 400 guests on each floor. Both inhouse and external caterers will be used. For further information on both Vinyl Factory venues, please contact Antony Hill on +44 (0)20 7025 1385 or e-mail antony.hill@vinylfactory.co.uk