On Moor Lane in the heart of Clitheroe, Townsend Records gives the Ribble Valley a traditional bricks-and-mortar music shop with a strong emphasis on browsing, format choice and knowledgeable service. The shop is based at 18 Moor Lane and is listed by Record Store Day UK, placing it firmly within the wider independent record-shop landscape.
Background / History
The Townsend name has deep Lancashire roots. The wider Townsend Music business was established in 1978 and grew from a regional music retailer into a direct-to-customer physical music specialist, working across vinyl, CDs, artist stores, merchandise and distribution. Founder Steve Bamber remained involved during the handover period when Townsend Music was acquired by Dutch distributor and vinyl producer Artone in 2024.
The Clitheroe shop keeps the high-street side of that story visible. While Townsend’s online operation has become increasingly broad, the Moor Lane branch continues to offer the simple pleasure of stepping into a local record shop, scanning the racks and talking music face to face.
What You’ll Find
Townsend Records carries a broad mix of physical music, with vinyl at the centre of the offer. Stock references include CDs, vinyl, storage boxes, instruments and accessories, while genre mentions range across rock, blues and jazz, alongside wider mainstream and specialist tastes.
The appeal lies in its mixture of new and used stock. Visitors looking for a fresh pressing, a replacement CD, a gift, a back-catalogue favourite or a second-hand find all have reasons to spend time in the racks. The presence of guitars and related accessories gives the shop a broader music-retail feel than a vinyl-only store, making it useful for players as well as collectors.
Experience / Atmosphere
Townsend Records feels like a proper local music shop: practical, approachable and built around browsing rather than rushing. Customer feedback highlights knowledgeable, friendly help, with particular praise for staff advice and an atmosphere that encourages conversation.
There is a classic high-street character to the experience. It is the kind of place where you can inspect a sleeve, check a pressing, ask about an artist, compare formats and leave with something you had not planned to buy. Its setting on Moor Lane also makes it easy to fold into a wider Clitheroe visit, whether you are in town for the market, independent shops, food, walking routes or a day out in the Ribble Valley.
Why Visit
- Long-running Lancashire music name with roots stretching back to 1978
- Central Clitheroe location on Moor Lane
- Strong vinyl focus, alongside CDs, accessories and selected music gear
- Mix of new and used stock for collectors and casual buyers
- Friendly, knowledgeable service and a proper browse-friendly shop feel
- Listed by Record Store Day UK
Summary
Townsend Records is a valuable stop for anyone record shopping in Clitheroe or exploring Lancashire’s independent music scene. It combines the heritage of a long-established music-retail name with the hands-on appeal of a local record shop: racks to search, staff to talk to and enough variety to suit different tastes, budgets and formats. For vinyl buyers, CD collectors and music fans who still value the physical-shop experience, Townsend Records remains a worthwhile Moor Lane destination.
