Pop Classics brings serious collector knowledge to Church Street in Caversham, giving Reading a well-stocked independent record shop with deep roots in online vinyl trading, music memorabilia and rare-record expertise.
Background / History
Pop Classics is owned and run by Damian Jones, a lifelong record collector with more than 20 years of experience selling vinyl records and pop memorabilia online before opening the physical shop in September 2023. The store began life in St Martin’s Precinct, Caversham, and quickly became a local focal point for music fans, collectors and curious browsers. Damian’s wider background includes consultancy work for the Record Collector Price Guide, involvement with Acid Jazz Records and Record Collector Magazine reissue projects, and authorship connected to British soul and mod culture. The shop has also received local recognition, winning Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2024 Pride of Reading Awards.
What You’ll Find
The stock covers new and used vinyl, CDs, rare records and music memorabilia, with additions made regularly. Pop Classics caters for a broad spread of budgets, from affordable browsing copies to more collectable pieces, and its background in buying collections gives the racks a constantly changing feel. The shop is especially suited to fans of classic pop, rock, soul, guitar music, mod-related sounds, reissues and collectable pressings, while its online presence through eBay and Discogs reflects the more specialist side of the business. Pop Classics also buys records, full collections and memorabilia, including posters, programmes, badges, promotional items and other music-related pieces from the 1950s onwards.
Experience / Atmosphere
Browsing at Pop Classics feels like stepping into a shop built by collectors rather than simply stocked for them. There is a strong emphasis on conversation, recommendations and shared enthusiasm, with Damian and the team able to guide both seasoned buyers and newer vinyl fans. The shop has also played an active cultural role in Caversham, hosting local artists and bands, supporting live performances, and taking part in Record Store Day activity. Its collaboration with Reading band Third Lung on an exclusive 7-inch release shows how closely the shop connects with local musicians as well as record buyers.
Why Visit
- Strong mix of new vinyl, used records, CDs and collectable stock
- Particularly good for classic, guitar, soul and mod-related sounds
- Knowledgeable staff with serious collector experience
- Regularly changing stock sourced through collection buying
- Active local music role, including events, live performances and Record Store Day participation
- Useful destination for selling records, memorabilia or larger collections
Summary
Pop Classics is one of Reading’s most worthwhile stops for vinyl buyers who enjoy proper digging, informed conversation and a stockroom shaped by decades of collecting knowledge. Whether you are looking for a new reissue, a used classic, a rare pressing or advice on selling a collection, this Caversham shop offers a strong independent alternative to chain-store browsing, with a genuine connection to the local music community.
