In the middle of Twickenham’s Church Street, Eel Pie Records feels closely tied to the area’s musical memory without relying on nostalgia alone. Opened on 8 June 2017 by local friends Kevin Jones and Phil Penman, the shop takes its name from nearby Eel Pie Island, whose club history helped shape the borough’s reputation for jazz, blues and early rock ’n’ roll.
Background / History
Eel Pie Records grew out of years of conversation between Jones and Penman, who shared a love of music and eventually turned that long-running idea into a bricks-and-mortar shop. Penman brought decades of music-industry experience, including time with HMV and major labels and distributors, while Jones came to the business as a long-standing local with a strong sense of Twickenham itself. They opened on the site of a former bookshop and wanted a shop that felt easy to browse rather than overcrowded or random.
What You’ll Find
The range is broad, but it does not read like a shop trying to stock everything for everyone. New vinyl sections cover rock, jazz, soul & funk, reggae/ska, country, folk, blues, international, hip hop, soundtracks, electronic and classical/ambient, while the second-hand side mirrors that spread with dedicated genre categories and fresh arrivals. There is also a rare vinyl selection, books, shop merchandise and music equipment, with Rega turntables and hi-fi among the more distinctive extras. Eel Pie has even developed its own label, which gives the place an added sense of involvement beyond straightforward retail.
Experience / Atmosphere
What makes Eel Pie Records appealing is the browsing rhythm. Earlier interviews with the owners stressed their dislike of overstuffed racks and hard-to-navigate stock, and that curatorial mindset still seems central to the shop’s identity. Reviewers repeatedly describe a large selection, knowledgeable staff and an atmosphere that feels relaxed rather than intimidating. Several comments also point to the quality of the second-hand stock and the pleasure of finding unexpected records while browsing.
The shop also seems to function as a cultural meeting point rather than just a place to buy LPs. It runs Third Thursday in-store new music evenings, has hosted or promoted local live events, played a role in High Tide Festival, and has been involved in work-experience opportunities in the community. That gives Eel Pie Records a sense of purpose beyond commerce: it is part of Twickenham’s current music life as well as its inherited heritage.
Why Visit
A well-judged mix of new, second-hand and rare vinyl across a genuinely wide genre spread.
Owners with deep music knowledge and a reputation for friendly, unshowy service.
More than records alone, with books, merchandise, Rega hi-fi and the shop’s own label in the mix.
A strong local identity shaped by Twickenham’s music heritage, regular events and community involvement.
Summary
Eel Pie Records is the kind of shop that makes sense of why independent record stores still matter. It honours Twickenham’s musical past, but its shelves are not stuck there: classic catalogue staples sit alongside newer releases, second-hand finds and the occasional rarity, all in a space designed for proper browsing. For anyone exploring South West London’s record shops, this is a thoughtful, characterful stop with real local roots.
