The best record shops in Leeds

Think of Leeds' music scene and you'll likely think of its two longstanding independent record shops: Jumbo and Crash. But there are other great stores for a spot of crate-digging too: here are our favourite record shops in Leeds

Feature by The Skinny North | 27 Mar 2017

A new record shop in Hyde Park

Woo Together

Priding itself on being 'the only record shop in Hyde Park', the recently opened Woo Together operates out of events space/cafe/hangout Hyde Park Book Club, 10am-5pm daily. Working closely with producers and artists linked to the city, the guys behind Woo Together want it to hold lots of Leeds-affiliated labels – so if you've got a record and want to see it in the shop, get in touch!  

As well as a strong local focus, the shop stocks music from around the world, as they're buying in their favourite new releases spanning all genres. A place for music lovers to mingle, drink and dig, at Woo Together you'll not only pick up a new favourite LP or two but likely make some new pals as well. 27-29 Headingley Ln, facebook.com/wootogether.leeds

Record shops in Leeds city centre 

SingleShot 

Helping fuel the vinyl revival in Leeds is SingleShot, who – you might've guessed from the name – also supply some seriously strong coffee. Browse the racks of vintage wax with a gooey brownie in hand (your non vinyl-grabbing hand); grab tickets for local gigs, and catch some live music in the basement, which regularly hosts acoustic gigs and events. Frequently running discounts and promos to help you try things out, SingleShot is a friendly place, and like any good record shop, it's more than a store: it's a hangout. 30 Central Rd, @SingleShotLeeds

Our 7" selection is now in A-Z order! Fill your boots!

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Noiseisforheroes

A new opening near Leeds town hall and the city art gallery, Noiseisforheroes is the brainchild of Chris Coulthard, formerly of Huddersfield's Vinyl Tap record shop and various record fairs here, there and everywhere, who decided it was time to set up a permanent home. Noiseisforheroes has a good showing of punk, but the vinyl selection is by no means limited, with Coulthard buying across all genres as long as the music is interesting.

Record players and affordable amps are also on sale, and trading hours are Tue-Sat 11am-6.30pm (Coulthard saves Sundays for car boot sales, and Mondays for a blessed day off!) 75A Great George St, Facebook page

New hip hop just in.. #hiphop #recordcollector #vinyl #vinylcollection

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Crash

Compact and packed with stock, Crash is a little powerhouse of a shop catering particularly well to the rock, metal and alternative music fan. They maintain a selection of classic albums on vinyl (all brand new and unplayed), promote local artists and stock gig tickets for a wide array of Leeds gigs from major to independent venues. They've been in place on The Headrow for 30 years and, though they might look small from the outside, you can't miss that iconic black and yellow logo. 35 The Headrow, @Crash_Records

Jumbo Records

The stalwart of Leeds' music scene (along with Crash), since opening in the early '70s Jumbo Records has seen Leeds through the punk era, upgraded to larger spaces three times, and over the decades established itself as one of the best music shops in the North. Jumbo caters to all tastes, but it is the place to go if you're looking for brand new releases on CD and vinyl.

Jumbo is also well-stocked with gig tickets, with up to 500 gigs on sale at any one time, as well as books, magazines, styli for turntables and anything else you might want from your local independent record store. Their new premises in the Merrion Centre boasts coffee, too. Units 1-3, Merrion Centre, @JumboRecords

Relics Records

For a long time, the third corner of the Leeds vinyl triangle along with Jumbo and Crash has been Relics Records, who've been buying and selling vintage and collectors' records since 1991, plus CDs and DVDs. Spanning all genres from rock and pop to reggae and blues, Relics are open-minded and expansive with more than 25,000 records on their shelves at any one time. Make sure to follow them on Facebook for heartfelt recommendations and shout-outs to other local businesses you should check out. 53 New Briggate, @relicsrecords

Doghouse Bar & Record Store

Keep an eye out for the opening of a new record shop, Doghouse, not far from Leeds train station and the Corn Exchange sometime in early 2017. facebook.com/thedoghousebarleeds

Record shops out of town 

Vinyl Fixx (Armley) 

Ask Leeds' music lovers about their favourite record shops and you'll frequently hear mention of Vinyl Fixx, selling punk, indie, metal and memorabilia and collectors' items in Armley, often at fair prices. Tong Rd, Armley @vinylfixx

 Norman Records

And finally, a shout-out for Norman Records, one of the best online music catalogues out there specialising in vinyl, and operating out of good old Leeds to boot. While not open to browsers as such, they do run a click and collect service: so if you've ordered something and would rather pick it up in person, you can do just that between 9am-5pm Mon-Thu and 9am-4.30pm Fridays (closed weekends). @normanrecords


Where have we missed? Tell us about your favourite record shops in Leeds in the comments below.

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