Background / History
Sitting on Canterbury Street in the heart of Gillingham, Medway Record Centre is a long-standing fixture of the town’s music scene and a familiar name to vinyl collectors across Kent. The shop is run by Phil, whose deep knowledge of records and unhurried, welcoming manner have earned him a loyal following over many years. Regulars talk of returning again and again simply for the warmth of the welcome and the steady stream of fresh stock that passes through the door. It is very much an independent shop built on personal expertise rather than gloss, the sort of place where the owner can point you straight to the record you have been chasing.
What You’ll Find
The shop carries a huge and constantly changing stock of vinyl, with a particular strength in rare, collectable and ex-chart records from the 1960s, 70s and 80s. Crate diggers will find rich pickings across prog rock, heavy rock, classic rock, psychedelia, beat and freakbeat, 60s garage, reggae, northern soul, indie, britpop, soul, punk, folk, modern jazz, rock and roll and surf. Alongside the records there are CDs and DVDs to browse, so there is plenty to occupy collectors of every persuasion. Every record passing through the shop is inspected by hand, with the vinyl, sleeve and any inserts checked over before it reaches the racks, and Phil has a well-earned reputation for tracking down specific wants for customers who know exactly what they are after.
Experience / Atmosphere
Browsing here is an unhurried, hands-on affair. The racks reward patience, and part of the pleasure lies in not quite knowing what you will turn up, whether that is a long-sought collectable or a bargain you never expected to find. Phil is generous with his time and his knowledge, happy to talk music, offer a steer or simply leave you to dig in peace. Prices are kept fair and sensible, which only adds to the sense that this is a shop run by someone who genuinely loves records rather than chasing a quick sale. For many in the Medway towns it has become a regular port of call and a reliable place to feed a vinyl habit.
Why Visit
- A vast, frequently refreshed stock of vinyl with real depth in 60s, 70s and 80s releases
- Genuine specialism in rare, collectable and ex-chart records across a wide spread of genres
- Every record checked over by hand for condition before it goes out
- A knowledgeable, friendly owner who will happily hunt down particular wants
- CDs and DVDs to browse alongside the vinyl
- Fair, sensible pricing that suits both casual buyers and serious collectors
Summary
Medway Record Centre is one of those independent shops that repays a proper visit, combining a deep and ever-changing stock with the kind of personal expertise that big chains simply cannot match. Whether you are after a rare 70s pressing, filling gaps in a soul or punk collection or just enjoy the ritual of flicking through the racks, it is well worth the trip to Gillingham. With Phil’s friendly guidance and a constant turnover of records, it remains one of the most rewarding places to dig for vinyl in the Medway towns.
