Lowestoft’s most easterly-edge crate-digging fix lives on London Road South, where Year 3000 Records carries forward the spirit of the shop many locals still remember as AUX Records.
Background / History
The story begins in 2019, when founder Jan Mulder turned a personal passion for collecting into a bricks-and-mortar shop. What started out with a wider collectables angle quickly leaned into music, as second-hand vinyl proved there was a real appetite for a dedicated record spot in town. Over the years the business has shifted through a handful of set-ups and ideas, including a period where the operation broadened into more of a social space with events. Today, the shop trades as Year 3000 Records, a name change that keeps the identity fresh while still feeling like the same independent, collector-run destination at heart. It remains a family effort too, with support close to home helping keep the doors open and the racks turning over.
What You’ll Find
Year 3000 Records is, first and foremost, a buy-and-sell shop built around the thrill of second-hand discovery. Expect:
Vinyl LPs and 7″s, from everyday favourites to the occasional left-field rarity
CDs for those who still love a proper physical library
Cassettes, often with that nostalgic, mixtape-era appeal
A line in music memorabilia, with nods to film and television collectables also part of the wider “collector’s shop” DNA
Genre-wise, it’s pleasingly broad, but there’s a particularly strong pull towards guitar-driven shelves: rock, metal, prog, indie and punk are well represented, with other strands—reggae, alternative and classic catalogue staples—regularly surfacing. If you’re hunting those “I can’t believe they’ve got it” titles, it’s the sort of place where persistence pays off because stock changes often and interesting collections do come through.
Experience / Atmosphere
Browsing here feels hands-on in the best way: unhurried, properly tactile, and driven by the sense that the next divider might hide exactly what you’ve been after. The tone is friendly and grounded—more like chatting music with someone who genuinely listens than being steered towards a quick sale. Prices are typically pitched with the local scene in mind, and there’s a long-standing willingness to talk through condition, pressings, and whether something is “for playing” or “for collecting”. It’s also the kind of shop that functions as a small cultural marker on the high street: a place where regulars pop in for a catch-up, visitors get pointed towards local gems, and music discovery still happens face-to-face.
Why Visit
A lively second-hand turnover that rewards repeat visits
Strong depth in rock, metal, prog and punk, plus plenty beyond
Multiple formats under one roof: vinyl, CDs, cassettes and memorabilia
A collector’s eye for the interesting stuff, not just the obvious sellers
Warm, knowledgeable conversation without any pressure
A proper independent shop with a real Lowestoft identity (and a claim to the “most easterly” bragging rights)
Summary
Year 3000 Records is the sort of independent record shop that earns loyalty through consistency: good stock, fair dealing, and a browsing experience that still feels personal. Whether you knew it as AUX Records or you’re discovering it for the first time, it’s a worthwhile stop for anyone who likes their music shopping to come with stories, serendipity and a bit of seaside-town character.
