Bargain record shops in London

[Flosshilde]

I'm sure that this has come up in discussions in the past, but could anyone recommend bargain record shops in central London (or in Richmond)? I saw that my favourite browsing ground - Cheapo Cheapo Records in Rupert St (? - the bottom end of Brewer St,) had closed when I made my last visit to London.

[Petrushka]

My favourite destinations are Classical Record Exchange in Notting Hill Gate and Gramex in Lower Marsh Street near Waterloo station and Old Vic. Hope they are still flourishing!

[2LO]

It's no Cheapo Cheapo, Flosshilde, but the Oxfam (think it's Oxfam) shop in Marylebone High St, near Daunt Books towards the Euston Rd end, is one of those that sell just books and records. Not millions of 'em but considerably more than the usual charity shop box.

Favourite LP bought there, after a couple of DG Wagner highlights, has been Hoffnung's Music Festival concert of 1956 for £2. Most of the records seem to be in quite good condition.

[Chris Newman]

Gramex in Lower Marsh Street near Waterloo station and Old Vic. Hope they are still flourishing!

They were still there two weeks ago. Good range of second hand records.


If you are in Salisbury, Collector's Corner (almost on a corner) in Endless Street has a good s/h department.

[Mandryka]

Flossie, if your visits to the smoke are infrequent, you'll be dismayed at the number of stores that have vanished: MDC have gone, so has Farringdons and most of the second hand places have gone, too. The 'upside', if it could be called that, would be the increase in charity shops. at whcih some amazing bargains can be picked up.

Fopp (which has branches on Gower Street and on Cambridge Circus) has a very small classical section, but you can sometimes find some surprising bargains there.

[Flosshilde]

If you are in Salisbury, Collector's Corner (almost on a corner) in Endless Street has a good s/h department.

I rather like the idea of 'endless' Street

[Petrushka]

Foyles in Charing Cross Road has a pretty good classical department and a small second-hand section which has sometimes yielded the odd surprise.

I was rather disappointed with the offerings in Oxfam Marylebone High Street when I last went in a couple of years ago; far too many Gramophone/BBC MM CD's. I did, however, walk away with Toscanini's 1951 Verdi Requiem for £4.99 (in a damaged case!)

[BBMmk2]

Ah! slightly off tangent, although this is in London by the sea, aka Brighton & Hove(!!), I will advertise the one in George Street Hove. Called Fine Records.

A very good selection of new and used cds and vynls to!

[teamsaint]

I rather like the idea of 'endless' Street

indeed. And interestingly, the doctors surgery is at the end of endless st....love giving people that set of directions !!

[Ferretfancy]

I visit Gramex in Lower Marsh every couple of months or so, and usually find a few good things, but you do have to sort through the tottering heaps of CDs on the tables. The selection changes quite rapidly, and if the loquacious owner sees you as a regular you may be offered tea and biscuits!
I don't overlook the attractions of the surviving HMV in Oxford Street, but the sale offerings are scanty this summer. The staff are very helpful as always.

[umslopogaas]

I strongly second the recommendation for Fine Records in George Street, Hove: excellent place and always a good selection of new and secondhand CDs, sometimes interesting vinyl. Last time I spoke to them, Julian did say it was getting increasingly difficult to find decent vinyl, all the original collections have long since been dispersed.

I'll also put in a plug for Ben's Collectors Records in Tunsgate, Guildford. I was a favoured customer for many years, though I now live too far away to pay regular visits. Ben's a great guy and has a real flair for unearthing good collections. He also prices to sell; he's hugely knowledgeable about pop and jazz, but not greatly interested in classical, he's given me some great bargains over the years.

[Flosshilde]

indeed. And interestingly, the doctors surgery is at the end of endless st....love giving people that set of directions !!

At least it's not the cemetary!

[teamsaint]

At least it's not the cemetary!

not yet, but with this governments plans for the NHS......