10 Record Stores You Need to Know

There’s no denying it, our appetite for record buying is growing, with vinyl sales increasing in the UK by 11.7% to 5.9 million units in 2023 alone, according to BPI. That’s the highest annual level since 1990. Maybe it’s because of their tangibility, the greater sense of connection you feel listening to your favourite artist’s new LP from front to back, or even seeing pretty album artwork framed and hanging on your wall, there’s nothing like heading out and purchasing vinyl.

At the centre of it all is the record shop – these pillars of music discovery and creative community that stand defiantly on the high street – hidden in the shadows of clothing shops, restaurants and supermarkets. Packed from floor to ceiling with iconic albums, rare finds and records by the next big artist, these spaces have become hubs for like-minded music heads, who flick tirelessly through their racks on a mission to unearth hidden gems.

In March, ERA (the digital entertainment and retail association) reported that there were now 461 indie record shops in the UK – a 10-year high. Here, we outline 10 essential stores to add to your visit list from London, Manchester, Brighton, Liverpool, Leeds and Glasgow.

Rough Trade Denmark Street

The idea of a record as a cultural hub in England, where ideas can be exchanged and records flicked through, has a lot to thank Rough Trade for. So, it was only right that they opened up a store on Denmark St, an area credited as one of the birthplaces of the British music industry, where everyone from Elton John to Sex Pistols and The Rolling Stones to David Bowie hung out once upon a time.  As for the records themselves, like any Rough Trade, the walls are stacked with new releases and reissued classics.

Phonica

You can’t overlook the visceral energy of Phonica when you step into its walls and hear the next underground electronic hit pumping from its speakers. The racks of house, techno, garage and everything in between make for a deep listening experience, with turntables lined up around the shop’s perimeter ready for you to dive into and listen to their collection.

Flashback Islington

Recycling music since 1997, Flashback Records is one of the foremost spots in London for not only buying but selling your vinyl. Digging through their collection, you realise that the more music you discover, the less you really know about music. Piled high with predominantly second-hand 12 inches, the Islington store was the first Flashback to open, and they’ve since opened in Crouch End and Shoreditch too.

Piccadilly Records

Anyone in Manchester who’s an avid record collector knows about Piccadilly Records. Pitched up in the heart of the city on Oldham Street, the shop covers all grounds – everything from indie to leftfield electronica and italo disco to funk and soul – and often hosts famous faces for signings and in-store performances. Most recently, the likes of Jamie xx, Fat Dog and Field Music have passed through to celebrate album releases and even sign the shop’s toilet wall of fame.

Vinyl Exchange

It’s easy to get lost in the rare, pre-owned delights of Vinyl Exchange. Spread across two floors, the collection of records and CDs might seem overwhelming at first, but with staff who specialise in specific genres, there’s always someone on hand to help with your digging. Metal, punk, industrial, rave, jungle, reggae… it’s all there, and reasonably priced too.

Idle Hands

Two years after closing its doors for what appeared to be the last time, at the end of 2024, Bristol’s beloved record store Idle Hands re-opened and announced its relocation to the centre of Bristol. Owner Chris Farrell never planned to shut but with the lingering effects of COVID-19 and Brexit hanging over him, the previous shop – like the rest of the industry- felt the pinch. The new space looks plush, with a healthy selection of dub, reggae and genres across the electronic continuum to check out.

Resident Records

Resident Records has been making “your world sound beautiful” for just over 20 years now. The Brighton store’s walls are breaking at the seams with new releases and regularly host artists for in-store signings and performances. Fiery post-punkers Lambrini Girls are popping by later this month to play their debut album, followed by the likes of Kim Wilde, Rizzle Kicks and The Murder Capital.

Jumbo

Located in Leeds’ Merrion Centre since the 1980s, Jumbo Records and its seemingly endless collection certainly live up to its name. The shop is massive and champions the biggest space for music discovery in the city; its walls are lined with posters and music paraphernalia, designed to get lost in and pick up your new favourite music treasure.

Dig Vinyl

At the heart of Liverpool is Dig Vinyl, stocking carefully curated second-hand records at its Bold Street and West Kirby’s Banks Road locations. Obsessed with digging out the best vinyl at the best prices, the avid collectors always give a good deal and give you a warm welcome when coming in to purchase your records.

Rubadub

You can’t talk about Glasgow’s DJ scene without mentioning Rubadub in the same breath. The shop has fostered its own community of electronic music lovers for over 30 years, becoming a favourite for the likes of the late, great Andrew Weatherall, Carl Craig and Richie Hawtin to swing by and dig for the next club classic. As well as the racks of records, Rubadub’s space is lined with synthesisers, techno and streetwear-adjascent clothing brands like Trilogy Tapes and the latest speaker technology.