Right in the flow of Leamington’s shopping day, Head Records is the sort of place you can duck into for a quick browse and still emerge with a small stack and a handful of listening plans for the week ahead. Set inside the Royal Priors Shopping Centre, it mixes the convenience of a central location with the personality you want from an independent shop.
Background / History
Head Records first opened in Leamington Spa in October 2007, founded by Leslie and Jayne Whitfield. From that starting point it grew into a wider UK-and-Ireland chain before the business went into liquidation in early 2018. Later that same year the Leamington Spa store returned under new ownership, with Simon Dullenty reviving the Head Records name locally and continuing it as an independent shop alongside an online operation. The result is a store that’s been shaped by two worlds: the scale and systems of a larger retailer, and the day-to-day grounding of a single-shop independent.
What You’ll Find
Head Records’ range is deliberately broad, and it leans into both music and film. Vinyl is a major draw, with plenty of space given to the staples (rock/pop, metal, jazz, reggae, rap/hip hop, soundtracks) as well as the categories you don’t always see separated out (spoken word, world music, gospel/Christian, Irish, easy listening and more). CDs remain a key part of the shop too, with a similarly wide sweep that also includes classical.
Beyond discs and sleeves, there’s a practical “complete the setup” feel to the offering: turntables and headphones if you’re upgrading or starting from scratch, plus books and a solid spread of DVD and Blu-ray for anyone who still likes a physical shelf of films. New releases and pre-orders are treated seriously, and there’s also scope for second-hand finds alongside the newer stock, which keeps the racks feeling changeable rather than static.
Experience / Atmosphere
Browsing here is straightforward and welcoming: easy to navigate, no pressure, and help is there when you want it. Staff knowledge tends to be the most useful kind — less gatekeeping, more listening-based suggestions, format advice, and a steady hand when you’re trying to track down a particular edition. The shop also plays an active role in the town’s music life through in-store events, with occasional meet-and-greets, signings and short live performances that turn a normal visit into something a bit more memorable. Come on a quiet weekday and it’s a calm, focused dig; arrive around Record Store Day and you’ll catch a livelier, queue-day buzz that shows how much the shop means to local collectors.
Why Visit
Central Royal Priors location that’s easy to fit into a town-centre trip
Strong coverage across vinyl and CDs, including less obvious categories
Proper support for new releases, pre-orders and Record Store Day hunting
Music-and-film focus: vinyl and CDs alongside DVD/Blu-ray and books
Turntables and headphones on hand for upgrading a home setup
Regular in-store events that keep it plugged into the local scene
Summary
Head Records is a dependable Leamington fixture: broad stock, practical format variety, and an atmosphere that suits both quick visits and longer rummages. Whether you’re after a new release, a soundtrack on wax, a stack of CDs, or simply a chat and a recommendation, it’s a shop that rewards repeat stops.
