There are two World's Apart shops in Liverpool and contrary to the name they are actually quite…read moreclose together. This building in Lime street is a mess and needs a sympathetic refurb and clean. I was surprised to discover that actually this shop is part of a small chain. I visited the shop for the first time this week. It's full of comics and toys you simply can't get elsewhere - not that I have tried. So many of the toy figures I could not recognise although I did spot some of the original Dr Who figures and some from Final Fantasy. Forget Toys R Us, this place is a wealth of badges, stickers, games and oddness for kids, adults and fans of things I've never even heard of.

Like its geeky counterpart, Forbidden Planet on Bold, World's Apart deals in all things cult. Cult…read moreis often a term used to describe things that have a strong, devoted core audience - or for studio executives something with low viewing figures. But no more, the popularity if this store can be seen on Saturday afternoons as children and adults alike fill the store and rummage through the amazing collections of limited edition, imported and new toys, comics, books, graphic novels, DVDs, posters and clothing for every genre and range of sci-fi, horror and anime franchise.

That's Entertainment is a chain of music and DVD shops, with a few games owned by Music Magpie, the…read moreonline giant in the UK. This particular branch is actually located in Liverpool, due to its' location I'm sure it is classed as being apart of the St John's centre. I basically came in here just to browse the games, I asked a member of staff and she pointed me in the right direction, but she sadly didn't seem really friendly and she didn't stand out on her level of helpfulness. The game selection was quite small, and in all honesty most of the stock was just rubbish even from old consoles such as the original Xbox, which I doubt have any value anymore since they stopped making the games and as far as I'm aware can't be used on the newer 360 or One consoles. There seemed very few games on the other hand on new consoles such as the Xbox One or PS4. The selection was quite weird, there was a small selection of books and a larger selection of CD's and DVD's which were the main things this store stocked. Inside, it carried on the tradition which That's Entertainment seem to do of being slightly basic. The range seems out of touch, they are stocking really old stuff and not the newer stuff which can be used from new consoles, most games stocked seem to be old also, for example the latest FIFA version was 2013, and they even had some dating back to 2009, this store is out of date, in terms of decor and stock and because of this sadly suffers the same negative fate as its' Oldham branch to warrant a single one star here in Liverpool.

Named for the pub nearby, this little shop sells CD's, DVD's, VHS's, etc. You will find all kinds…read moreof variety here, and some of it's good and some of it's pretty much crap. Prices are decent, though. It's the kind of place where you never know what you'll find, and if you can't afford the high street prices it's always fun to pop in places like this to try to find a cheap DVD for a movie night in.

One of the last remaining secondhand record shops in Liverpool is Hairy Records. Situated at the…read moretop of Bold Street, it's a gloriously ramshackle shop that has literally dozens of racks of old vinyl. The window is a great indicator of what you'll find inside with well thumbed copies of early Dylan, Neil Young and Van Morrison records alongside old classics by The Cure, The Smiths and The Specials. It's not all rock and pop however, as inside there are literally hundreds of brilliant soul, funk, disco, motown, northern soul, girl groups, reggae and krautrock albums. If you can't find what you're looking for, ask the friendly owner and there's a chance he might have a copy somewhere. I only chatted to him for five minutes and it was clear his passion and enthusiasm for music was infectious. In the week, Hairy Records is quite quiet so you'll have time to look through everything without being disturbed. At weekends however, expect to be elbowed by local musicans like The Zutons and The Coral. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJrGKqYYfdY

Liverpool's selection of independent record shops is so bad, considering the city's monumental…read moremusical heritage, it's almost laughable. Hairy is one of the few left and is probably the biggest and best known. Its collection of vinyl is tremendous with stacks and stacks from all genres and eras that you can happily spend days rooting through them all. But like all specialist shops - particularly record shops - there is always a catch. Remember High Fidelity? Remember the father innocently asking Jack Black if he had a copy of 'I Just Called To Say I Love You'? Yep, just be careful.

Probably still the first choice record shop for DJs who like to get their hands on the goods first…read morerather than odering online, 3 Beat has been the staple provider for all things dance. The reason record shops are still important, or at least ones like 3Beat and Probe, is that they are seen as a focal point for the followers of their chosen specialities. Having been around since 1989, 3Beat has had enough time to define itself and build up a reputation meaning that it has become a place for budding DJs to get some advice and professionals the chance to, well, hang around and have a brew with the lads behind the counter. They also sell tickets for all the big nights in the city and around the Northwest but of course if you really do stick to being a bedroom DJ then you can always buy the records from their website.

Owned and run by a collective of deejays, 3 Beat Records used to be the best place to buy and…read morelisten to dance music in the city. Opened in 1989, they caught the tail end of the acid house scene before branching into deep house, techno, electro, breaks, trance and hardcore. I personally didn't like everything they sold but I loved the fact they stocked obscure Richie Hawtin and Matthew Herbert records alongside new white labels and monster club hits. Though 3 Beat is still going as a record label and online store at www.threebeatrecords.co.uk, unfortunately they decided to close the shop last summer. Suffice to say, there's a definite air of silence where there was once rumbling basslines and beats. (: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCIAJRCxNGU

If you're a crate digger or just looking to replay your old records, this shop is ideal. Skeleton…read moreRecords sells over 100,000 new and used records, CD's, DVD's and cassettes of all genres of music. The vinyl section of the store is amazing and you could be there for hours digging like I have, and you're guaranteed to find something you like, the prices range from 10p to collectible records which are priced on their rarity, but if you're looking for CD's, DVD's and other things you will be able to find the things you are looking for, big up to Skeleton Records and vinyl shall live on. Store recommended, peace.

Great music shop stocking every conceivable title, from chart cds to the most unusual and obscure…read moretitles. If you know what you are after and are finding it hard to get hold of then give here a go, by the same note if you've no idea what your after then you'll no doubt find many things to tickle your fancy here! Staff are knowledgable and passionate about what they sell. A fantastic music shopping experience!

In these days of big companies like HMV and Zavvi (or whatever it's called these days) dominating…read morethe music retail business, as well as the rise of downloading music (whether legal or illegal), it's easy to forget the charm of independent local music shops like Quicksilver Music. Hidden down Market Street, Quicksilver is a small but appealing shop that sells a modest but varied selection of CDs and vinyl, both of which are split quite helpfully and comprehensively into different genres and artists. You do still have to search through them a bit for a few hidden gems, but that's all part of the fun. As well as selling music, Quicksilver also sells a small selection of electric, acoustic and bass guitars as well as a few amps. None of them are particularly expensive models (most are at the cheaper end of the spectrum) but some models there have been discontinued so would be considered quite rare. The selection may be quite small but there is quite a variation and if you're looking for a more original choice for a basic guitar then there are some bargains on offer there. Quicksilver Music might not be for more commercial music fans but if small independent music stores with a bit of character appeal to you, then it's definitely a place to check out and support.

A Liverpool institution, Probe was immortalised in Kevin Sampson's Awaydays as the shop everyone…read morevisited in the late 70s to buy the latest punk and no wave singles. Three decades on, they still have a small selection of Joy Division and Magazine albums but their stock is much more eclectic. Alongside classic funk, soul, dub and electro, there are racks devoted to krautrock, psyche, garage, indie, freakbeat and classic rock. Endearingly, vinyl is the dominating medium rather than CDs with lots of lovingly sourced re-issues as well as new and original releases. The staff are friendly and knowledgable and more than happy to play records if you want to try before you buy. If only all record shops were like this! The magnificent Magazine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nImOq_eWHEM&feature=related

Not much to add here on Probe Records, as everyone affirms it's a real-life genuine piece of…read moremusical heritage in a city where a lot relies on the idea of the ghost of the myth of the beat-era. Offering a broad selection of punk, post-punk, indie, funk, soul and reggae on CD and Vinyl, Probe is really the one-stop shop for music you might not find in HMV. It feels like a real record shop too; blasting a selection of funk and punk cult classics through the speakers, with wooden rack upon wooden rack of records, some with little well-thought out recommendation cards. The staff are friendly and surprisingly un-high fidelity-y in that a misstepped request won't be answered with a volley of insults in the direction of your musical knowledge. Regulars are treated well and newcomers are treated like regulars. A few years ago I asked for the new Iron and Wine album (the fantastic, laid-back "Our Endless Numbered Days") and although it wasn't out until Monday they let me have it anyway. Brilliant.