On the climb up Fore Street, Rooster Records feels like one of those proper, time-tested independent shops where you can lose an hour without noticing – the kind of place built for rummaging, curiosity and a few happy surprises.
Background / History
Rooster Records is run by Jaimie Fennell and has a longer story than its Exeter address might suggest. The shop originally opened in Taunton in early December 1995, building a loyal following before the business expanded. As the stock grew and larger premises became essential, Rooster made the move to Exeter, opening on Fore Street in November 2006. That journey – from a smaller-town start to a bigger, busier city pitch – still shapes the feel of the place: experienced, well-organised, and confidently geared towards collectors as well as casual browsers.
What You’ll Find
Rooster’s shelves and racks lean heavily towards vinyl (new and used), with plenty of LPs, 12″ singles and 7″ in the mix. The selection is broad, but there’s a clear love for deeper catalogues and left-field finds alongside recognisable classics. Expect everything from budget-friendly bins to more collectible pieces, plus a steady flow of imports and quality reissues – including heavyweight audiophile pressings, coloured vinyl, picture discs and box sets.
Beyond vinyl, there’s also a substantial CD section (largely new stock, with some carefully chosen second-hand), and music DVDs rather than general film. Genres run wide: psych and prog, jazz, soul, blues, folk, punk and soundtracks sit comfortably alongside metal, indie/alternative, electronica, hip hop, reggae/dub/ska and more.
Rooster is also well known locally for buying collections, whether it’s a small stack or a serious archive. The emphasis is on fair appraisals and a straightforward, human approach – handy if you’re downsizing, clearing space, or handling a loved one’s music.
Experience / Atmosphere
This is a “digging” shop in the best sense: rows of sleeves, plenty to flick through, and a layout that rewards patience. You’ll often see regulars dropping in for a quick look and leaving with an armful, because the stock turns over and there’s always something newly filed. Staff knowledge is a big part of the draw – the sort of place where you can mention a label, a producer, or a vague memory of a cover, and get pointed in the right direction without fuss.
Why Visit
A serious range of new and used vinyl across loads of genres
Strong on reissues and imports, including collector-friendly pressings
Bargain bins as well as rarer “wall” items for collectors
Good for DJs and deep listeners, not just chart staples
Buys collections with a fair, practical approach
Central Exeter spot on Fore Street, easy to reach on foot
Summary
If you like record shops that feel properly stocked, properly lived-in, and genuinely focused on music rather than gimmicks, Rooster Records is a must for Exeter. Whether you’re chasing a specific pressing, building a genre corner of your collection, or simply fancy a rewarding browse, it’s the sort of place that makes independent record shopping feel like it should.
