Record Shops in Merseyside

Merseyside’s record shops are inseparable from Liverpool’s reputation as a music city, and the best way to explore the region is to treat it as a walkable trail: from the cultural quarter around Bluecoat to the Ropewalks and Bold Street, you can hop between stores and finish with a gig the same night. A cornerstone is Probe Records, a “true Liverpool original” that opened in 1971 and has been described as a control room for the city’s music life, specialising in new and reissue vinyl alongside an expansive CD range. Nearby, 81 Renshaw offers a modern, friendly take on crate-digging with both new and second-hand stock, and it trades from a famously historic address once home to Bill Harry’s Merseybeat magazine. For newer discoveries and quality used wax, Dig Vinyl is a go-to, with a Bold Street shop in the city centre and a second branch on the Wirral in West Kirby—handy if you’re exploring beyond Liverpool. Add in Jacaranda Records (tied to the iconic Jacaranda venue) and you’ve got a scene that rewards repeat visits: expect everything from 60s rarities to current indie, electronic, hip-hop and local releases. Across Liverpool and the wider county, many shops are owner-run, chatty and discovery-focused—ideal for collectors, casual buyers and weekend crate-diggers alike.

Our directory currently lists 26 record shops across Merseyside, spanning long-established institutions and newer independent arrivals, with shops in Liverpool, Southport, Wallasey, Birkenhead, Prescot, St Helens and Wirral. Between them you will find new and second-hand vinyl across every genre, from rare original pressings and audiophile reissues to the latest releases, plus turntables, accessories and knowledgeable staff happy to point you towards your next find.

Many independents here join in with Record Store Day every April, when limited releases and queues outside the shutters are all part of the fun, and several host in-store performances and special events through the year. Because opening times differ from shop to shop, check the individual listings below before setting out so you can plan your visit around the ones you most want to see.