Record and music shops in the city

Discussions at work recently turned to old Coventry record shops, but the name of one shop is eluding us. Can anyone remember the music shop on the corner of the City Arcade, right by the bird cage? It was a couple of doors away from the Bug and Black Bat (I can't remember if that pub has changed name since). I think the shop was only there for a few years, but I used to frequent it in the early 1980s - always a goldmine for weird and wonderful vinyl. I got my first album by The Move (who remembers them?) in there, and there was always a lot of hair around - and some dodgy odours!

I must admit, I don't even remember the shop having that title! I think it did have various owners at different times, but that wasn't the name I recall when I used to go in there during my early 80s apprentice days. Just to make sure we have the correct shop in mind - if you were to stand by the bird cage and face down the arcade towards Queen Victoria Road, the record shop was the first one on the left corner. It always seemed a bit dark and dingy in there!

Yes, that's where the plaque is. I only vaguely remember it as Virgin (given my tender age ho! ho!). I messaged Pete Chambers on Facebook and he can only recall it being a Virgin shop in the early 80s. The mystery deepens.

Well, given my "not so tender" age anymore (what speed did vinyl singles spin at? Say no more!), it's possible that I'm the one getting mixed up, and maybe it was a Virgin shop after all! But somehow I had memories of a different name - a small independent store. I dunno.... perhaps I'm losing it! Does anyone also remember Spin-a-disc? I think that was the small record place in the Intershop building round the corner.

The Spin-a-disc I remember was a huge shop at the bottom of the Lower Precinct, opposite the Co-op.

Yes, you're right dutchman, I do remember that one in the Lower Precinct now. Mmmm... I wonder what the one in Intershop was called then? Not too important really though - it's the one in the arcade that's bugging me!

Late 70s - Whisky Muhle in Intershop Fennell's - Lower Precinct Jill Hanson - near Woolies Spicer's(?) - Far Gosford St.

What was the one in Smithford Way, near to the Rockhouse (sorry, Locarno)?

Did that used to be a pet shop when the arcade first opened?

Doesn't anyone remember? I remember queueing for Russ Conway's autograph there, but I can't for the life of me remember its name

Thinking about it a bit more, the nearest I can remember is the record dept of Boots on the corner of Corporation Street and Smithford Way.

Who else remembers Jill Hanson's record shop? God I feel old!

I remember the Virgin Records City Arcade shop well as I bought one of my first ever pieces of vinyl from there!! Adam and the Ants Prince Charming album (OK giving my age away there). I'm sure it was one of the first Virgin records outlets outside of London. Can still recall being genuinely excited in the number 23 bus on the way home to play it. I gave in outside The Maudslay pub and opened the gatefold sleeve. Oh the joys.

A tad earlier Rob,1950s. But does anyone remember the shop, top of Bishop St. just round corner, used to specialise in quality carpets and goods. It belonged to a George ??????. In the back of the shop was the meeting place for a lot of Trad Jazz aficionados. An old radiogram, remember them? and stacks of jazz records, some American old OKEH labels. Most of the records were of the '78's. George's method of trading in records was extremely loose. You could take a selection of records away and take your pick at home. I seem to remember that Parlophone was a popular label at that time. Shades of Lyttleton, Barber and Freddie Randall spring to mind. I believe the business subsequently moved to Spon St. For the life of me I can't remember George's name apart from the fact that he was an extremely smart man. How he put up with us I don't know. Re another thread, I wouldn't mind going back to that time!!!! Happy days!!!

Just woke up. Re George!!! the name was George Parks, a true gentleman, how he came to be mixed up with the load of tatty Trad Jazzmen I will never know!!!