On Church Street in Abertillery, Kenny’s Vinyl Vault is the sort of place where a quick pop-in can easily turn into an unhurried hour of browsing, chatting, and discovering something you didn’t know you needed. Part record shop, part alternative emporium, and part vegan café, it’s a proudly independent, family-run spot that feels rooted in the Valleys while still welcoming collectors and curious passers-by from further afield.
Background / History
Kenny’s Vinyl Vault (often shortened to KVV) grew from a rekindled love of vinyl. Founder Lee ‘Kenny’ Kendrick got back into records in 2018 after a Christmas gift from his wife, Jo, and began selling online when the collection started to outgrow the space. Before long, what had been operating from a back bedroom needed somewhere customers could properly browse. In July 2020, KVV took an inventive step by housing stock within Dutch Courage Tattoo in Abertillery, giving the shop an early “local secret” feel. By 2024, it had moved into its own premises in town.
What You’ll Find
At its heart, KVV is about physical music in multiple formats: vinyl (new and pre-loved), CDs, cassettes, and music DVDs. The shop describes its vinyl range as broad rather than niche, spanning mainstream favourites through to deeper cuts—ideal if you like a dig that might jump from pop and classic rock to heavier titles and beyond. They also buy music collections and offer valuations, which helps keep the stock changing week to week.
Beyond the racks, the “Vault” part of the name makes even more sense once you notice the extra layers:
Official merch (band, film, and comic-related), including tees, hoodies, caps/beanies, pin badges, and patches.
‘Witchy Supplies’ curated as Jo’s domain—think crystals, incense, candles, and small ritual or gift items.
The vegan Crystal Café, giving you an easy excuse to extend the visit with a coffee and something sweet.
Experience / Atmosphere
Browsing here feels informal and human in the best way: you’re encouraged to take your time, ask questions, and follow your curiosity across formats and genres. The café element adds a gentle rhythm—people leafing through sleeves, then pausing upstairs with a brew before heading back for “one more” crate. Visitors mention a small, satisfying menu of vegan café staples (toasties, sandwiches, cakes and bakes) and thoughtful touches such as a book swap area, plus a general sense that the shop is trying to be accessible and community-minded rather than just transactional.
The shop also gets out and about: KVV has appeared at record fairs across South Wales (including dates in Newport, Penarth, Caerphilly and Whitchurch) as well as music events and festivals.
Visually, it’s hard to miss what’s become a talking point well beyond Abertillery: a large tribute mural to Ozzy Osbourne on the building, created as a community-supported project and drawing visiting fans for photographs as well as records.
Why Visit
A proper multi-format shop: vinyl, CDs, cassettes and music DVDs under one roof.
Constantly shifting stock, with collection-buying that keeps the crates fresh.
A distinctive mix of music, official merch, and “witchy” gifts that makes browsing feel varied.
A fully vegan café on-site, ideal for turning a browse into a longer visit.
A genuine local hub feel, plus the landmark mural that’s become part of the town’s wider conversation.
Summary
Kenny’s Vinyl Vault is worth the trip for anyone who likes record shopping with personality: a family-run set-up that’s grown from online roots into a full, multi-format destination, with merch, crystals, and a vegan café adding extra reasons to linger. Whether you’re crate-digging for a bargain, browsing gifts, or simply stopping by for a coffee and a look at the mural, it’s a shop that reflects its community while giving visitors plenty to explore.
