From: brendan@otc.otca.oz (Brendan Jones)
Newsgroups: aus.music,rec.music.misc
Subject: Tour of UK Record Stores
Date: 7 Oct 92 09:16:56 GMT

I was lucky enough to be sent to the UK for business recently, but on weekends
and on a couple of days off at the end of the trip, I toured the local record
stores to check the scene out (especially since I was after some specific 7"
and 12" singles, and one wouldn't spend the whole day going to record stores
on a holiday!)

So, here's what I saw:

CHAIN
-----

TOWER RECORDS
1 Piccadilly Circus SOHO W1

This very famous store is at one end of a rather Victorian looking rectangular
sandstone building.  The store was not as big as I thought it would be,
perhaps only twice the size of HMV in Sydney.  However, its selection was
fairly good, the video library was strong on music videos, and vinyl is still
a happening thang at this store.


VIRGIN
14 Oxford St SOHO W1

Undoubtedly the biggest store I went to, it's three large floors make this
store at least five times the size of Sydney's HMV.  However, the layout is
appalling (it's actually two separate stores in separate buildings joined by
a large passageway) and variety of stock a little disappointing.

CDs are stored vertically in the racks (so you have to learn to read sideways)
which makes it hard to find things.  However, it means the store probably has
tens of thousands of CDs in stock.  Maybe even 100,000.

Vinyl has a smallish presence, there are sections for T-shirts, music books,
cassettes, sheet music, posters, videos, laser discs, and even a travel agent
for Virgin airlines.  This is one big record store.


HMV
363 Oxford St SOHO W1

There are two HMV stores in Oxford St, so I'm not sure if this is the biggest
one.  It is probably three to four times the size of Sydney's HMV, and very
similar in style and content, save for expanded sections for posters, T-shirts
and the like.


SECOND HAND
-----------

RECKLESS RECORDS

There are two stores.  One is at 30 Berwick St SOHO W1, but I didn't think it
was very good.  Not a large amount of stock, and as far as I could see, no 7"
singles.  The store at 79 Upper St ISLINGTON N1	was smaller but had a better
range of stock, including a good section for 12" singles.


MUSIC AND VIDEO EXCHANGE
38 Notting Hill Gate NOTTING HILL W11

This is a very large store, with 3 floors, and has lots of 45s (a bit of a
specialty I think) and lots of 12", and HEAPS of CD singles.  However, things
aren't very well alphebetised, making a trip there an epic in thumbing.


BIG CO RECORD EXCHANGE
88-90 Kensington High St KENSINGTON W

Lousy.  Don't bother going.  They have no stock.


SOUNDS FAMILIAR
95 Wood St WALTHAMSTOW E17

This store to the northeast of London is quite good for bargain hunters (I
found a couple of pretty rare 7" singles for 1.20 and 40p) but none of the
stock is sorted, meaning you spend hours looking.


PIRATE COLLECTORS/PLASTIC PASSION
2 Blenheim Cr NOTTING HILL W11

This cute little store is just off the Portobello Road markets, and is
actually two stres in one.  Its range of stock is small, and prices expensive,
but it's pretty well laid out, and if you're looking for something in
particular, you could go to worse places.


VINYL SOLUTION
231 Portobello Rd NOTTING HILL W11
BARGAIN RECORDS
245 Portobello Rd NOTTING HILL W11

These stores have a metal/thrash/punk leaning, and no doubt would be heaven
for those so inclined.  Not my scene, however.


BEANOS RECORD DEALER
27 Surrey St CROYDON CR0

In a word, brilliant.  Advertised as Britain's largest second hand store, I
may quibble with them on floor area, but not on stock.  Everything is
beautifully laid out, sorted down to the ARTIST level, and the quality of the
stock, both in range and absence of scratches, is superb.

As you would expect, the prices are a little higher here, but when you're
looking for something specific, you need go no further I reckon.  They have
an amazing array of rarities, picture discs, imports, 12" and 7" singles (the
really good stuff is below the counter - you have to ask), promos, test
pressings - the lot.  I have never seen a second hand store in Australia that
would even come close to this one.

I was in heaven for a couple of hours (and ended up spending 27 quid).


SELECT A DISC
19 Market St NOTTINGHAM NG1

When I was in the Midlands I gave this store a quick visit, and I found it
to be quite good.  A neat selection of 12" singles, 7" singles (behind the
counter) and CD singles.


I also went to a Record fair whilst I was in Croydon (pure luck - I didn't
know it was on), at it too was quite a valuable place to go.  I got a flyer
from them (P&J Records Fair) and they hold them all around England every week
of the year.  If anyone is heading over to the UK soon and would like more
details on the fair in their area, drop me a line.

-- 
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