Record Store Day, the annual push to promote independent music retailers, has been pushed back by more than two months as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

Dozens of Kent stores were due to take part in the event which is marked by a number of exclusive releases by the biggest acts to encourage people to visit their local store.

It was due to take place on Saturday, April 18.

But in a statement today, organisers said: "Record Store Day is a worldwide event involving thousands of people and small businesses.

"In our discussions over the last few weeks, as information came and changed daily, and then hourly, we’ve taken all of them into consideration as we go over various options: Stay the course. Move the date. Change the structure of the event.

"No one knows what things will look like in any given place in the next five weeks, and decisions for that time period need to be made now, using current facts.

"There is no perfect solution. There is no easy answer. We’ve decided that the best of all possible moves is to change the date of Record Store Day this year to Saturday, June 20.

"We think this gives stores around the world the best chance to have a profitable, successful Record Store Day, while taking into consideration the recommendations of doctors, scientists, the World Health Organisation, centres for disease control, and the need to be good citizens of both local and worldwide communities.

"We’re working with all of our partners and our stores to make this change as smooth as possible for everyone who participates in Record Store Day: customers, record stores, artists, labels and more.

"Record Store Day is everywhere and we want to hold our party when everyone can gather around safely to celebrate life, art, music and the culture of the indie record store."

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