I’ve been reading the amusing, and in many respects tragic book Last Store Standing which is about the decline in the music industry and particularly the once fabulous Independent Record Stores. Below is a list of stores mentioned in the book that have their own websites, so music fans who want to help support the indie stores can provide them with our patronage.

The stores mentioned, that I know and have visited include

• Adrian’s Records – Wickford
• Rough Trade – London
• Reflex – Newcastle-Upon-Tyne

Store’s Mentioned I don’t know:

• A&A Music – Congleton
• Acorn Records – Yeovil
• Action Records – Preston
• Andy’s Records – Aberystwyth
• Bakewell Bookshop – Matlock
• Bridport Music – Bridport
• Cob Records – Bangor
• Coda Music – Edinburgh
• David’s Music – Letchworth
• Derrick’s Music – Swansea
• Diverse Records – Newport
• Drift Music Shop – Totnes
• Five’s Records – Leigh On Sea
• Folk Devil’s – Whitby
• JG Windows – Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
• Jumbo Records – Leeds
• Kane’s Records – Stroud
• One Up Music – Aberdeen
• Rapture – Witney
• Raves From The Grave – Frome
• The Record Corner – Godalming
• Record Revivals – Scarborough
• Rise – Cheltenham
• Sounds – Dereham
• Spiller’s Records – Cardiff
• Townsend Records – Great Harwood
• Vibes Records – Bury
• Wall Of Sound Records – Huddersfield

In the checking of the sites, it looks as though a few more stores may have said farewell given that their web sites no longer respond.

Not mentioned in the book, but also brilliant:

• Rock Box

Book’s website – http://www.lastshopstanding.co.uk

If you want to check the book out yourself – then visit one of the above indie record shops. Or if you need Amazon, then go here.

"blithering nonsense, superbly played"

John Peel on New Age Music – 7th February 1988 – as printed in The Olivetti Chronicles – Three Decades of Life and Music