Background / History
JP’s Records brings a fresh independent record-shop presence to Hitchin from its lower-level home beneath Ronan’s Coffee on Walsworth Road. Opened in February 2026 by Jack Perry, the shop arrived after Hitchin had gone several years without a dedicated record store, giving local vinyl buyers a new place to browse, talk music and reconnect with physical records.
The idea behind the shop is straightforward but thoughtful: a small, welcoming space where new listeners, returning collectors and serious crate-diggers can all find something worth taking home. Its position beneath a café also gives it a distinctive place in the town’s independent scene, pairing coffee, conversation and vinyl in one stop.
What You’ll Find
The stock focuses on new and used vinyl, with a strong emphasis on rock, indie and pop, alongside a wider mix that includes metal, hip hop and other genres. The selection is curated rather than overwhelming, making it suitable for both casual browsing and more deliberate digging. Vintage band T-shirts and other music-related items add to the shop’s appeal for customers looking beyond records alone.
JP’s Records also buys vinyl collections, particularly across indie, rock, pop, metal and hip hop, helping to keep the racks changing and giving the shop a second-hand element shaped by local collections and fresh arrivals.
Experience / Atmosphere
Browsing at JP’s Records feels personal, informal and music-led. Its basement setting gives the shop a tucked-in, discovery-focused character without feeling cut off from the wider life of the building above. Visitors can combine a record hunt with a stop at Ronan’s Coffee, making it an easy destination for a relaxed afternoon in Hitchin.
The shop has quickly become part of the town’s cultural mix, drawing in both familiar local faces and visitors who travelled to see Hitchin’s new vinyl space after opening. Jack’s hands-on presence gives the place the feel of a shop run by someone who enjoys the conversation as much as the sale: recommendations, favourites, recent arrivals and shared enthusiasm are all part of the experience.
Why Visit
- Independent record shop in the heart of Hitchin
- New and used vinyl across rock, indie, pop, metal, hip hop and more
- Located downstairs at Ronan’s Coffee
- Good for new listeners as well as established collectors
- Buys vinyl collections, helping keep stock fresh
- Band T-shirts and music-related extras available
- Friendly, community-minded browsing environment
Summary
JP’s Records is a valuable addition to Hitchin’s independent retail scene: a focused, approachable vinyl shop with a clear love of music at its centre. With its mix of new and second-hand records, changing stock, café setting and welcoming feel, it offers exactly the kind of local record-shop experience that rewards repeat visits.
