Collectors Records Centre opened on Woodbridge Road in Guildford in 1984, at a time when buying music meant browsing record sleeves, flicking through boxes of singles and taking home a physical piece of a favourite artist.
More than four decades later, that simple pleasure remains at the heart of the shop, and the continuing success of vinyl across the UK suggests the appeal of physical music is far from fading.
Vinyl Sales Keep Growing
According to figures from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI), UK vinyl album sales rose by 13.3 per cent in 2025 to reach 7.6 million units, marking the format's 18th consecutive year of growth. Vinyl revenue also climbed to £174.7 million, its highest level in more than three decades.
The figures highlight how vinyl has evolved from a once-dominant music format into a thriving market for both dedicated collectors and a new generation of fans.
For independent record shops such as Collectors Records Centre, the renewed enthusiasm for vinyl reflects the enduring pleasure of owning music rather than simply streaming it. A physical record offers something that a digital playlist cannot quite replicate: the artwork, the sleeve notes and the experience of placing a disc on a turntable.
Noel Gallagher said in the 2022 documentary Squaring the Circle (The Story of Hipgnosis):
Vinyl is like the poor man's art collection
It is important for music fans to huddle around a physical shop that has a long history. Collectors Records Centre stands as a reminder that, despite changing fashions and technology, the pleasure of discovering music never really goes out of style.
Stock and Speciality
Their speciality is 45s, with a stock in excess of 40,000 pieces. Collectors may spend years searching for a rare pressing or a particular 45rpm single, while newer enthusiasts can discover music from previous decades by browsing through racks of records.
Inside the shop, visitors will find plenty of 80s rock, ska and punk records. This is not an exhaustive list, and there is an impressive spread of genres. Local DJs make this their regular stop, after Dance 2 Records closed its doors.
Changing Times
Collectors Records Centre has witnessed enormous changes in the way music is bought and heard. The arrival of CDs, digital downloads and streaming transformed the industry, yet the shop's longevity reflects the continued appeal of discovering music in its physical form. With younger customers asking for cassettes and CDs again, it continues to serve those who appreciate music in all its forms.
Collectors Records Centre is located at 89f Woodbridge Road, Guildford, GU1 4QD.
