Great words again kid - love the Mr.Benn analogy 😃 As you know every Friday I visit the record shops of Edinburgh and it is often the highlight of my week. Unfortunately not today as the whole city is closed!!! See you tomorrow provided my car doesn’t get blown into the Firth of Forth!!!
By co-incidence Mr.Benn has featured quite a bit for me this week! On Monday I was meeting my 25 year old PT 😃 and when she was shocked when I suddenly appeared - I quoted “as if by magic the shop keeper appears” and she turned round looking at me as if I was mad!! Then I realised most 25 year olds will have no idea - I spent the next hour telling her how she needs to get on YouTube and discover the delights of Festive Road 🤣
Tremendous piece Steve - small churches indeed 😅 - Graffiti Records and Music Mania were 2 of my worshipful places too …. Cobweb was also good (the ex-owner is a good pal of mine) also remember rummaging in big stores like Binns (basement), Woolworths and even Asda on Cherry Tree Road as they all sold vinyl back in the day …. and gifted the opportunity of chancing upon an unexpected odd gem 💎
Music Mania, Cobweb x 2, Graffiti, downstairs at Supercards, upstairs at Edwin P Lees, Sinfonia, the Record Centre, Beach market, Melody house, Martin the newsagent and I’m sure others. We were blessed on the Fylde coast for record shops back in the day 😃
Yes, we were Chris. I think Sinfonia was the last man standing out of these - I think there was a second Music Mania on Coronation Street, was it called Star Pic Studios ? - I'm trying to remember the guy who worked in Music Mania on Dickson Road - was it Neil ?
What a beautifully nostalgic and heartfelt tribute to record shops and the magic they hold! It's so true that they are more than just places to buy music—they're sanctuaries of discovery, connection, and inspiration. I love the comparison to Mr Benn—you really do walk in one person and leave slightly transformed, carrying not just records but stories and memories. Here's to these 'beacons' and the people who keep the flame alive!
Ahh graffiti records , music mania and cobweb …. Talk about a blast from the past ! And Mr Benn !!! 😊 great analogy !
I had to give up my vinyl addiction in place of going travelling, still have tons of records though ! Can’t let them go ! Also can’t go in a record shop anymore or I’d have no money or space in my house ! But when I do buy the occasional new vinyl it’s still that special experience of opening it and placing it on the turntable … the cover . Can’t beat it 😊
"A record shop is a place of escape, a place of relaxation (though maybe not for your wallet!) and a place of friendship. But it's a place of education too."
That's why I love them. Visiting new ones on my vacations is particularly enjoyable.
Went in the likes of Sinfonia - proprietor Sandy Mountain & his sister Freda also Starpic under Winter Gardens the record shop upstairs in Lewis’s - the latter memorably displaying Bowie’s The Man Who Sold The World album cover with the Mainman resplendent in a maxi dress
Always been Action Records in Preston for me.. My good pal Lou Smith tells me we went in the very first day it opened.. 1980 or 1981.. I was 15 and can't remember if it was Gordon's first day or not? Alas 98% of my record collection was purchased there.. Still going strong 😀
Mr Benn and record shops in one post, Steve? Two of my absolute favourite things! Great analogy too. The magical mystery tour of the racks, and discovering new finds and new friends, is exactly what makes record shops such places to be treasured… Love it.
Great words again kid - love the Mr.Benn analogy 😃 As you know every Friday I visit the record shops of Edinburgh and it is often the highlight of my week. Unfortunately not today as the whole city is closed!!! See you tomorrow provided my car doesn’t get blown into the Firth of Forth!!!
Ha, cheers kid!
By co-incidence Mr.Benn has featured quite a bit for me this week! On Monday I was meeting my 25 year old PT 😃 and when she was shocked when I suddenly appeared - I quoted “as if by magic the shop keeper appears” and she turned round looking at me as if I was mad!! Then I realised most 25 year olds will have no idea - I spent the next hour telling her how she needs to get on YouTube and discover the delights of Festive Road 🤣
It's based on a real street - Festing Road in Putney!
I'm happy to say that record shops with used and new vinyl and CDs have been making a comeback here in the US, and seem busier every time I visit.
Also great places to find books, and the staff are keen to help.
A very positive development.
Very glad to hear that. And always love record shopping in NYC - Other Music so good (RIP)
The various Selectadisc(s) in Nottingham were special places for me!
Tremendous piece Steve - small churches indeed 😅 - Graffiti Records and Music Mania were 2 of my worshipful places too …. Cobweb was also good (the ex-owner is a good pal of mine) also remember rummaging in big stores like Binns (basement), Woolworths and even Asda on Cherry Tree Road as they all sold vinyl back in the day …. and gifted the opportunity of chancing upon an unexpected odd gem 💎
Music Mania, Cobweb x 2, Graffiti, downstairs at Supercards, upstairs at Edwin P Lees, Sinfonia, the Record Centre, Beach market, Melody house, Martin the newsagent and I’m sure others. We were blessed on the Fylde coast for record shops back in the day 😃
Yes, we were Chris. I think Sinfonia was the last man standing out of these - I think there was a second Music Mania on Coronation Street, was it called Star Pic Studios ? - I'm trying to remember the guy who worked in Music Mania on Dickson Road - was it Neil ?
Graham at MM - legend. RIP
Cheers mate! Yes, Geoff and Dave Davies at Cobweb = legends - also, Supercards and Edwin P Lees were little treasure troves ❤️
What a beautifully nostalgic and heartfelt tribute to record shops and the magic they hold! It's so true that they are more than just places to buy music—they're sanctuaries of discovery, connection, and inspiration. I love the comparison to Mr Benn—you really do walk in one person and leave slightly transformed, carrying not just records but stories and memories. Here's to these 'beacons' and the people who keep the flame alive!
Thank you!
Ahh graffiti records , music mania and cobweb …. Talk about a blast from the past ! And Mr Benn !!! 😊 great analogy !
I had to give up my vinyl addiction in place of going travelling, still have tons of records though ! Can’t let them go ! Also can’t go in a record shop anymore or I’d have no money or space in my house ! But when I do buy the occasional new vinyl it’s still that special experience of opening it and placing it on the turntable … the cover . Can’t beat it 😊
"A record shop is a place of escape, a place of relaxation (though maybe not for your wallet!) and a place of friendship. But it's a place of education too."
That's why I love them. Visiting new ones on my vacations is particularly enjoyable.
Went in the likes of Sinfonia - proprietor Sandy Mountain & his sister Freda also Starpic under Winter Gardens the record shop upstairs in Lewis’s - the latter memorably displaying Bowie’s The Man Who Sold The World album cover with the Mainman resplendent in a maxi dress
I remember Virgin under the old Lewis’s
Frank at Musicmania - great feller RIP Frank
Cobweb at Cleveleys
The one on Bond St
Great memories - cheers Bradders
No wonder I ended up with 3k vinyl & 3k cds🥰
Yes mate, think Sandy is still about. T&H the legendary second hand place too
Saw Sandy last year in South Shore & a pal of his in St Anne’s - he still has a massive collection of vinyl at home including Northern Soul stuff
Good secondhand place at Station Rd market South Shore
Which one was T&H?
Was a pop-up second hand shop on Saturday mornings only, on Topping Street from memory!
I used to love visiting Probe in Liverpool when I lived there too.
Great shop! In the Bluecoat Centre now x
Used to drive through on Saturday mornings
I think it’s moved recently. Not sure where it is now?
That's a brilliant piece! I'll give a shout out to the Plastic Factory, Rockers ( Swordfish ) and the Diskery in Birmingham!! Great times!
Cheers Mark!
Always been Action Records in Preston for me.. My good pal Lou Smith tells me we went in the very first day it opened.. 1980 or 1981.. I was 15 and can't remember if it was Gordon's first day or not? Alas 98% of my record collection was purchased there.. Still going strong 😀
Mr Benn and record shops in one post, Steve? Two of my absolute favourite things! Great analogy too. The magical mystery tour of the racks, and discovering new finds and new friends, is exactly what makes record shops such places to be treasured… Love it.
Love the Mr Ben analogy!