A gold dragon curls across the window at 22 St John Street, and behind it sits one of the most characterful record shops in the Forest of Dean. Vendetta Vinyl and Vintage is the shop Coleford knew as Rockit Records, rebranded by owners Spencer and Tabby and given a look to match its stock: pink fabric draped across the ceiling, a chandelier over the crates, a skeleton or two keeping watch, and rails of second-hand clothing through the back.
Background / History
Spencer and Tabby opened at number 22 in May 2024, giving the town a dedicated record shop of its own for the first time in years. Word travelled quickly across the Forest, largely through customers telling one another about it, and the shop’s standing locally was recognised when Forest of Dean District Council called in as part of its Listening to Business programme. The business was incorporated as Rockit Records Coleford Ltd in February 2025 and trades from the same premises today as Vendetta Vinyl and Vintage, with the vintage clothing side now given equal billing alongside the records.
What You’ll Find
Vinyl leads, filed in clear crates by decade and by genre so you can work through the sixties, seventies, eighties and nineties or go straight for indie, punk, metal, soul, jazz, blues, folk, classical, soundtracks and trad jazz. New pressings sit alongside a substantial pre-loved selection, with 7 inch and 12 inch singles, picture discs and 78s in their own boxes and a cassette wall that runs the length of the room. There are racks of CDs, guitars, band t-shirts and tote bags, framed sleeves and music prints on the slatwall, curated boxes such as Tabby’s Indie Picks, and bargain crates marked at £1, £5 and £8. The adjoining room holds rails of vintage clothing. The shop buys, sells and exchanges, so a collection you no longer play is worth bringing in.
Experience / Atmosphere
The room is compact and densely packed, which suits it. Crates sit at browsing height, there is a listening station if you want to hear something before committing, and the racks change often enough to reward a return visit within a fortnight. Spencer and Tabby know their rarer stock and are happy to talk about it, whether you arrive with a catalogue number in mind or simply fancy a look. Regulars single out the unhurried, old-fashioned service, and a coffee has been known to appear while you dig. The shop plays its part in the town’s music life too, taking part in Coleford Music Festival with a showcase of its own.
Why Visit
- A genuine independent record shop in the heart of the Forest of Dean, an area with few alternatives
- New and pre-loved vinyl filed by decade and genre, from £1 crates to collector pieces
- An unusually large cassette wall alongside CDs, 78s, picture discs, singles and guitars
- A full room of vintage clothing under the same roof
- Buy, sell and exchange, so it is a practical place to move a collection on
- Owners who are on the shop floor, know the stock and make time for a conversation
Summary
Vendetta Vinyl and Vintage packs a great deal into one Coleford shopfront and does it with real personality. The mix of new and pre-loved vinyl is broad enough to reward a proper dig, the tapes, 78s, singles and memorabilia give the place character, and the vintage rails make it a longer visit than you planned. If you are passing through the Forest of Dean, set aside a decent half hour for number 22 St John Street.
