Info Wanted - London Record Shops / Markets

[Shaun W]

Hope this is the right place to post.

 

We'll be in London for a couple of days following the 100 Club christmas party and wanted to use some of the time digging for vinyl.

 

I'd be grateful for any information on worthwhile record stores and markets to visit selling second hand 45's and 33's.  Have done a little web research but would prefer to hear from SS members as to where to  go and where to avoid.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Shaun

[Jason S]

Soul Brother in East Putney (1 Keswick Road, East Putney, SW15 2HL - on the district line) have tons of stuff - more of a focus on 33s but they have got some decent original 45s and loads of good reissue gear.

[Drewtg]

Few years since I lived in London. I used to like Hanway Place W1, runs behind Oxford St (about three shops). Also check this out. https://www.timeout.com/london/music/londons-best-music-shops

Edited December 12, 2013 by Drewtg

[maslar]

Few years since I lived in London. I used to like Hanway Place W1, runs behind Oxford St (about three shops). Also check this out. https://www.timeout.com/london/music/londons-best-music-shops

 

Only one now.

Edited December 12, 2013 by maslar

[maslar]

My view, being a fairly regular visitor to London, is that apart form the usual suspects: Soho, Camden Town, Notting Hill/Portobello Road the other fairly central destination would be Spitalfields Market (first and third Friday and second Saturday of the month). This has the feel of a record fair with quite a few dealers. Only a few minutes walk from Liverpool St station.

[Denbo]

Only one now.

And I think I'm correct in saying that that one was up for sale / auction on eBay just a months or so ago.

Don't know if it's still open?

[maslar]

And I think I'm correct in saying that that one was up for sale / auction on eBay just a months or so ago.

Don't know if it's still open?

 

On The Beat? Would be a shame if that closed. It was open last month. Didn't notice any For Sale signs outside.

 

Edit -  just googled. The owner's looking for a buyer to carry the shop on as it is. Seems that that's one of his requirements.

Edited December 12, 2013 by maslar

[Denbo]

On The Beat? Would be a shame if that closed. It was open last month. Didn't notice any For Sale signs outside.

 

Edit -  just googled. The owner's looking for a buyer to carry the shop on as it is. Seems that that's one of his requirements.

Aah, right. Well, glad to see it's still in operation and open. Ignore my last comment then. :-)

[Steve G]

the other fairly central destination would be Spitalfields Market (first and third Friday and second Saturday of the month). This has the feel of a record fair with quite a few dealers. Only a few minutes walk from Liverpool St station.

 

Never found a really decent record there....tons of records....tons of crap records......

[Geoff]

Never found a really decent record there....tons of records....tons of crap records......

I was there with Eileen a couple of weeks ago and the only soul I found on any stall were re-issues. I explained I preferred original issues and got a blank look.

[maslar]

Never found a really decent record there....tons of records....tons of crap records......

 

Agreed but that goes for most of London  i would say. I rarely go record hunting in London anymore. I like OTB and there's a stall in the Stables  Market in Camden Town that's ok. Personally,  I wouldn't recommend a visitor spending too much time record hunting. Much more interesting things they could be doing with their time.

[maslar]

I was there with Eileen a couple of weeks ago and the only soul I found on any stall were re-issues. I explained I preferred original issues and got a blank look.

 

 

I was last on the record market in the summer and found quite a lot of soul. But it was nothing particularly exciting (from a vinyl collecting perspective) or priced in a way that would make me want to part with my cash..

[Tony Smith]

Can't remember the last time I found anything half decent in London!

[Denbo]

Never found a really decent record there....tons of records....tons of crap records......

A Timi Yuro IWNBOFM on UK Liberty was found at Spitafields about 5 years ago in mint condition c/w original company sleeve . . . . . . . £2.

T'was very early, as soon as the stalls opened, on a Friday morning if memory serves me well?

[Steve G]

The heydays of the  mid to late 70s when you could find Wil Collins & Willpower, Brand New and a ton of UK soul demos for next to nowt.....

[Sweeney]

Not wishing to sound miserable but there are many things worth doing in London at this time of year.

Shopping for reasonably priced or vaguely interesting Rare Soul is not one of them sadly.

Edited December 12, 2013 by sweeney

[Paul McKay]

Can't remember the last time I found anything half decent in London!

Not since Russ Smith moved to France!

[Britmusicsoulfan]

I just returned from a trip to the UK with 3 days in London and 4 in Manchester.  I found most of the vinyl in London to be horribly overpriced.  I found the best deals outside the city.  

[Barry]

other fairly central destination would be Spitalfields Market

 

 

...and if you don't find any decent records, The Ten Bells over the road serves a great pint of Stella Black

[Mr Smithy]

On The Beat? Would be a shame if that closed. It was open last month. Didn't notice any For Sale signs outside.

 

Edit -  just googled. The owner's looking for a buyer to carry the shop on as it is. Seems that that's one of his requirements.

In my trip through the motherland I went in there as I was passing. Seems there were no takers so he's shutting up shop end of January.

Not much in there of note but I bought a Donna Hinds 45 just on principle.

[Shaun W]

Thanks for the input, it's certainly crytalised my thinking on how much time to spend looking for vinyl. However, we will set aside enough time to visit a couple of our favourite watering holes.

 

The Albion in Goldsmith's Row ( Near Broadway Market ) and The Nags Head Belgravia,loved them both the last time we were in town.

 

Cheers

Shaun

[Seano]

Try Music and Goods Exchange on the main road in Notting Hill, soul 45s upstairs. And several shops down in Berwick Street including another branch of Music Exchange and Selectadisc.

There's also one between Oxford Street and Soho called something like Beyond the Universe with 45s downstairs.

Flashback records on Essex Road in Islington isn't bad either.

[Sutty]

Music and goods exchange is over priced with bad condition generally since they closed the soul and dance and moved into that small space.

Music exchange in soho has a section of about 8 shite common albums and no 45s.

Selecta disc is new releases only.

Sounds of the universe is new release with a small selection or originals downstairs that are not particularly exciting, and they don't change that often, I've seen the same lps in there for 5 years+ unsold.

The only place left on berwick at is the reopened reckless records but it's a shadow of its former self.

Used to enjoy an hour or two wandering round nothing hill and soho, I don't usually bother going there at all anymore, it's a waste of time unless you are super lucky, which I've not been for a few years and nobody I know has either.

Flashback is worth a look but their 'filing system' is a bit odd, but nice people and you can turn stuff up, but you need to sent some time in there as there's a lot of tat. Be prepared to get on your knees and dig it's a good old fashioned record shop.

I'm afraid the days of finding gems in good condition at a reasonable price in Central London are mostly gone now, not surprising considering their rates and bills alone must be extortionate,

Sorry!

Cheers Sutty