World’s only vinyl jukebox manufacturer partners with Leeds City Council and Victoria Gate to celebrate 40th anniversary

6 years ago

The world’s only manufacturer of vinyl jukeboxes has collaborated with Leeds City Council and Victoria Gate Shopping Centre to run a six-week pop up store in the heart of Leeds.

Leeds-based Sound Leisure opened the celebratory pop-up store on Wednesday 7 March which will run for six weeks, closing on 18 April. The store features an array of Sound Leisure’s world-renowned vinyl, CD and digital jukeboxes, games room related products such as arcade game machines, as well as a series of new, innovative products that the company has developed.

Sound Leisure was formed in Yorkshire in 1978 and this year celebrates its 40th anniversary as a proud Leeds-based manufacturer, shipping its bespoke products globally to some of the world’s most prestigious locations. The family-run firm is the only manufacturer of vinyl playing jukeboxes and one of only two classic jukebox producers in the world.

The pop-up store will also host a variety of events to celebrate the businesses 40th anniversary as well as the Yorkshire manufacturing industry.

Managing director of Sound Leisure, Chris Black, comments:

“We’re delighted to have partnered with Victoria Gate and Leeds City Council to run the pop-up store throughout March and April. As a proud Yorkshire manufacturer which is entering its 40th year in business we’re really looking forward to celebrating and showcasing the truly unique products we create right here in Leeds.”

Councillor Judith Blake, leader at Leeds City Council, said:

“Leeds has a proud history of industry and manufacturing is a key growth sector for us, so it’s fantastic to see 40 years of world famous production from this city celebrated, and I hope this allows many more people to learn about it, visit the pop-up shop and see it for themselves.”

Richard Spencer, commercialisation manager at Victoria Gate adds:

“We’re really looking forward to having Sound Leisure showcase their world-famous products in Victoria Gate, we’re proud to welcome one of Yorkshire’s leading manufacturers to the shopping centre. The pop-up store brings something new to Victoria Gate and shoppers will be able to visit, see and trial the range of fantastic products that Sound Leisure is famous for as well as some new world-first products.”

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About Sound Leisure

Sound Leisure Limited was founded by Alan Black and Eddie Moss in 1978. Since the launch of its first jukebox in 1980, Sound Leisure has become a name synonymous with high quality and innovative products. Now owned and run by the next generation of the Black family, the company remains the oldest single ownership company in the sector. During this period Sound Leisure has brought together some of the finest craftsmen and technical minds in the leisure industry, the research and development team continually strive to create cutting edge products that are reliable and simple to operate and service. Sound Leisure is proud of its UK manufacturing heritage and works closely with local universities, colleges and schools with the aim of inspiring the next generation of engineers and designers. Sound Leisure designs and manufactures many components and sub-assemblies in-house in Leeds, having a metal workshop, woodworking and Vacforming facilities within the factory. In addition to an 80,000 sq ft manufacturing facility, the firms also incorporate a hardware and software division that is based in Nottingham, this division concentrates on the development and manufacture of both hardware and software for Sound Leisure’s range of products. In addition to designing and manufacturing its classic range of Jukeboxes Sound Leisure is the sole UK distributor for TouchTunes digital jukeboxes, the world’s largest digital jukebox manufacturer. Sound Leisure is also the UK sole supplier for Instore Kids Corners (IKC) products that it installs in children’s areas. 40 YEARS OF INNOVATION Dedication to ongoing Research and Development has been a key factor in the success of Sound Leisure. The reputation for innovation and creativity is second to none within the sector. SL’s development engineers are backed by a production workforce committed to maintaining the highest quality product achievable. Customer feedback from operators and sites heavily influence ongoing product development and SL’s efficient management structure enables quick decisions to be turned in to quick product enhancements. HAND BUILT IN THE UK SINCE 1978 Sound Leisure is proud of its U.K based manufacturing heritage. Employing in excess of 100 staff, the firm has remained true to its core principles of supporting local businesses and people. Sound Leisure has sold more than 100,000 Jukeboxes around the world and products can be found in some of the finest locations. The skills and techniques required to manufacture a range of cabinets are unique to this plant and have to be taught in house. With the emphasis on “apprenticeship” style training, Sound Leisure actively encourages the passing on of skills from one person to another, often from one family member to the next. As a family owned and run company, the importance of supporting the family group is among the company’s highest priorities. This support is repaid many times over by the commitment and dedication of its team, with a large number of staff achieving in excess of 25 years’ service. As a major manufacturer Sound Leisure is determined to achieve and maintain best practice and demonstrate compliance with all legislation. Sound Leisure is the first company in the region to be accredited with complying to Electonic Yorkshire’s envirotronix programme which is awarded for the achievement of responsible manufacturing in the Electronics Industry. To achieve this Sound Leisure were audited by a panel of environmental Industry experts and had to produce evidence that we complied with the WEEE and ROHS regulations. Membera of the Better Business Environment (BBE) forum which meets to discuss waste management and resource efficiency, all electronic products are CE certified and comply with the low voltage and EMC directives whilst wood-based products are supplied from replenishable forests with a high proportion of waste recycled.