Manchester’s move into Tier 3 has meant that non-essential shops can now open and benefit from festive sales. With the sad news that Magma is closing its doors for good still raw, we have created a guide to supporting independent records shops in our city.
Eastern Bloc
5A Stevenson Square, M1 1DN
easternblockrecords.com
Known for dance music and its long-running involvement in Manchester’s music scene, Eastern Bloc Records is situated on Stevenson Square in the Northern Quarter. The shop is now open and you can book one hour appointments by emailing info@easternblockrecords.com.
You can also shop online and the staff are more than happy to offer recommendations. Eastern Bloc run an excellent podcast series on their Soundcloud, so check that out too!
Clampdown Records
9-11 Paton Street, M1 2BA
clampdownrecords.com
Find Clampdown Records on Paton Street near Piccadilly Gardens. They sell new and used records at a very decent price. You can also purchase through their website and find memorabilia on Ebay.
King Bee Records
519 Wilbraham Road, Chorlton, M21 OUF
kingbeerecords.co.uk
King Bee have been providing the people of Chorlton with a wide range of records since 1987. Their stock is updated on a daily basis and they have a section specifically for Manchester music. You can find the shop on Wilbraham Road which runs through Chorlton or order through the online catalogue.
Piccadilly Records
53 Oldham Street, M1 1JR
piccadillyrecords.com
One of the most famous independent record shops in the UK, Piccadilly Records have been providing a click-and-collect service throughout lockdown. Visit them in the Northern Quarter and lose yourself flicking through the rows of records.
The shop often runs different offers and sales, so look out for that. They accept online orders and look forward to welcoming customers back into the shop again.
Empire Exchange
1 Newton Street, M1 1H
Empire Exchange on Facebook
Empire Exchange is a collectors shop on Newton Street in central Manchester. They sell used records alongside retro magazines, DVDs, antiques and a whole lot more. Walking into Empire Exchange is like stepping back in time so it is definitely one to visit on your next trip into town.
Your guide to arts, music and culture in Greater Manchester.
Vinyl Revival
5 Hilton Street, M4 1LP
vinylrevivalmcr.com
Another Northern Quarter gem, Vinyl Revival have been leading the independent record shop resurgence since 1997. They have sections of the shop dedicated to local bands and a vast range of merchandise and vinyls celebrating Manchester’s musical history.
You can also shop online and trawl through their vast collection of Manchester-related memorabilia.
Vinyl Resting Place
Third floor, Afflecks, 52 Church Street, M4 1PW
afflecks.com/vinyl-resting-place
Each time I wander around Afflecks Palace I seem to end up at Vinyl Resting Place. Since 2014, the shop has become a key place in Manchester to chat about music and flick through records.
They rely on customers shopping in-person so make sure to pop-in next time your in the city-centre.
Vinyl Exchange
18 Oldham Street, M1 1JN
vinylexchange.co.uk
Vinyl Exchange opened in 1988 and has since become the largest seller and buyers of rare records and DVDs in the North West. They stock a wide variety of genres and the extensive collections spans two floors.
You can purchase records on their website or lose yourself for an hour or two in their Northern Quarter shop.
Support thoughtful, independent arts and culture journalism for just £3.
All Night Flight
10 Mealhouse Brown, Stockport, SK1 1JP
allnightflightrecords.com
Based in Stockport, All Night Flight is a physical and online select record shop which specialises in left-field, experimental, electronic and worldwide sounds.
The music scene in Stockport seems to be rapidly growing each year, so now is the perfect time to support one its gems.
Beatin’ Rhythm
Bank House Studios, Warwick Street, Prestwich, M25 3HN
beatinrhythmn.com
Prestwich’s Beatin’ Rythmn specialises in Northern, Modern, Funk and Rare Soul. You can browse their extensive catalogue online and seek out many rare and valuable records.
Photo courtesy of Eastern Bloc Records Manchester
Tom Taylor is a journalist and photographer from Greater Manchester and founder of Salt Magazine. See Tom’s work in his portfolio and follow him on Twitter @tomtay10r.
