Background / History
Basement Traxx is the work of Scott Thornton, a record collector who has been buying, swapping and selling vinyl since the age of six. He built the business online before taking a chance on a month-long pop-up in the back room of Margin Music on Market Place, run in partnership with shop owner Mary Kirkpatrick. That short-term experiment opened in April 2018 and simply never closed, growing into one of Macclesfield’s best-loved independent record shops. The name nods to the dance act Basement Jaxx, and pieces of related memorabilia still sit among the racks.
What You’ll Find
This is a predominantly second-hand, vinyl-focused shop with a deep and constantly refreshed stock. Records run from the 1950s right through to current pressings, covering every genre from death metal to classical. There is real strength in 1990s house and techno, a reflection of Scott’s own time behind the decks, while classic rock from The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd and Black Sabbath remains a steady seller. Crate-diggers will turn up rare and deleted items, 12-inch and 7-inch singles, limited editions, picture discs and imports, with fresh arrivals appearing daily. Scott actively buys collections of any genre for a fair price and offers free local collection, and he will track down specific titles through Discogs and eBay for customers who would rather not shop online.
Experience / Atmosphere
The shop has a lived-in, music-first character, its walls lined with posters of Debbie Harry and Bob Marley alongside picture discs and a framed newspaper cutting of The Beatles’ only Macclesfield concert, played at the El Rio club in 1963 and attended by Scott’s mother. Browsing here feels personal. The regulars span their mid-twenties to mid-sixties, and Scott knows most of them by name. Conversation flows easily, recommendations come freely, and there is no pressure to do anything other than dig. A charity box for The Christie Macclesfield sits by the counter, and flyers for local musicians point you towards the wider scene in a town with a deep musical heritage.
Why Visit
- Daily-changing stock of second-hand vinyl spanning the 1950s to today
- Genuine specialism in 1990s house and techno, plus strong classic rock
- Rare and deleted LPs, singles, picture discs and imports for collectors
- Fair cash prices for collections and free local collection when selling
- A welcoming, knowledgeable owner deeply rooted in Macclesfield’s music life
Summary
Basement Traxx is exactly the kind of independent shop that keeps a town’s record-buying culture alive. What began as a one-month pop-up has become a fixture of Market Place, run by an owner whose enthusiasm for vinyl is matched by an encyclopaedic stock. Whether you are chasing a rare 12-inch, building a first collection or simply happy to lose an afternoon to the racks, it rewards every visit and the time spent digging.
