DO NOT PRE ORDER FROM ROUGH TRADE IF YOU WANT RELEASE DAY STUFF…read more Pre ordered the Springsteen Nebraska 82 set as I wanted to get it the day it came out. It didn't arrive, it's now days later and I've had no news about when I'll get it either. I've tried contacting them via customer service messaging and emails and have been ignored. According to the Shop app, my package is still 'being prepared' which means absolutely nothing

I first learned about the iconic Rough Trade record store through my love for The Smiths, and I…read morecouldn't resist the magnetic pull of this indie vinyl haven. My friend Robert and I had to visit it while on a long layover in London. Despite its dilapidated state and small size, Rough Trade's undeniable charm was evident in every corner. It's a treasure trove for indie and obscure music! However, I must admit that the physical state of the store left me longing for more. It's not as impressive as the one in New York! We didn't buy anything though, we've never heard of some of the bands that were on display. lol

Oh my days. My favourite ever shop in London. Visit. It's so good. Go now. Why? Well they…read moresell a lot of CDs and records. What does this mean? Ok the selection of records isn't as vast as gargantuan as other vinyl-only shops. But it's a very mean selection. And not a lot of rubbish getting sold here. But the CDs... the CDs... Unreal, I have never come across such a variety of styles, types, big names and big albums. And they are selling them for cheaper prices than I have ever seen. So it's really not unlikely that you'll find, say, Blood Sugar Sex Magik for £3. And I think that's pretty good. But best of all for me, is lining the walls, are rarities, boxed sets, unheard of Japanese imports, the things collectors dream about. So I've found most of my rare Manic Street Preachers singles here. And sure, I paid £85 for their CD of Motown Junk. But the only time I have ever seen it is in this shop. So for that reason, I'm forever indebted... MMM the smell of good music

Wow ok before i start this obviously isnt about everyone who works in the store but how on earth do…read morethey find such dire rotters to work here? Two or three times now ive had run ins with staff and today was no exception. After asking about a pair of jeans the guy decided to dissect the pair as if it were not a pair of jeans but in fact the Noah's Ark. I just want a little discount i dont want to have to stand there while you scroll through the internet trying to decide whether the damage on the jeans is intentional or whether the second colour stitching should make it more valuable that your other colleague has already priced it. You can give me £2 off a pair of jeans youv'e had in the store for over a year with the other probable 1000 pairs you haven't sold. Get a grip for god's sake. Its a miracle this business has lasted so long, it merely survives on acting as a porn brokers, ripping off the poor by buying their belongs for pennies and ripping of the naive by charging inflating prices.... 0 stars from me, sorry to the staff that are cool enough.

They've got a great door here, a great faded wooden façade. It's worth it just for that. Inside…read morethere's a record store - mostly post 60's stuff but it's pretty varied. I'd say if anything they compromise on depth in any one genre and go for real breadth. Most of the classics from the US and UK scene are here plus they've got quite a bit of New Wave and Punk. There's CDs & Vinyl, LPs, 45s and also a good stash of memorabilia and posters. Come too if you want to get rid of anything - they buy at pretty decent prices.

Minus Zero closed down on Saturday 1 May 2010. Conjoined with Stand Out Records it has been a…read morewonderful place to buy records for 26 years. You can read a tribute - some photos and audio from the last day - on my website; just search for eccentric sleeve notes and minus zero. Simon

What a difference a couple of months make!! The Vinyl Cafe is work in progress and definitely here…read moreto stay. I was lucky to meet the owner on my most recent visit. Jake has been running a record stall on Portobello for ages and is passionate about music - only allowed myself a quick browse through some rather impressive vinyl on offer. It's great to meet a local who is passionate about bringing music back to this neck of the woods. I was lucky to arrive as a coffee tasting took place - the difference was noticeable and the Vinyl Cafe stands a good chance of becoming a favourite haunt after all. Will definitely return for some of their homemade cakes - the banana loaf was just being prepared as I left, everything made fresh on the promises. There are plans to open in the evening - watch this space!

Avoid the Vinyl Cafe at all costs. The owner is a true detriment to a setting that might otherwise…read morebe enjoyable. I had come in with two friends after walking around outside. I had the paper remains of a bag of chips I had eaten during my walk. We had popped in for a quick sit-down and lattes. The lattes were standard but the problem came when the owner came over to our table. He reached over the table, grabbed the folded paper from the side and said," You can't bring food into a restaurant. You can't do that. This is my restaurant." (For the record this isn't a restaurant - its a cafe.) I responded, " I'm very sorry. I couldn't find a trash bag outside. I didn't think it would be an issue." Again he said, " This is my restaurant. I pay 3,000 pounds a month put yourself in my shoes!" At this point I had already apologized, he had raised his voice, and several other people in the cafe had looked over at us. It was a nightmare. My friend chimed in, " Well he said he's sorry what else would you like him to do?" He was wearing a fleece hat inside and his eyes led me to believe he was under the influence of something. Either way it was terribly inappropriate for him to talk to his customers like that. The cherry on top was when he went to the barista and waitress and yelled, "You can't let that fucking happen! You need to do your job!" At this point we were finished with the Vinyl Cafe. The owner had already made us uncomfortable and proceeded to yell at his staff in front of the entire cafe. He was totally unprofessional and this is somewhere I would never recommend to a friend.

Such a cute market! Loved all the little vendors and shops. So many different things to see, eat…read moreand buy. Worth a stop if you are in London, also in a cool area!

We loved this market. We went on Saturday, which I believe it is open only on Friday and Saturday…read more Much less crowded than the Borough Market, which you can barely move through certain sections during peak hours (though great selection). I enjoyed a quiche. My daughters enjoyed strawberries topped with Nutella. We all shared a fish and chips meal from Poppie's which I highly recommend. Probably the best fish and chips we had while in London. There are olive bars and paella and all sorts of amazing foods to enjoy. Also pick up a Notting Hill bookstore linen tote while you are there.

Minus Zero Records, conjoined with Stand Out Records, closed down on Saturday 1 May 2010…read more It has been a wonderful place to buy records for 26 years. There is a tribute - some photos and audio from the last day - on my website. Please search for eccentric sleeve notes and stand out Simon

Situated in the same shop as Minus Zero, Stand Out is also run by a guy called Bill (a different…read moreone). In similar fashion it's like a museum of rare vinyl and music and contains an extraordinary selection of impossible-to-find stuff. The stuff on sale contrasts a little with the Bill across the other side of the shop but there is some crossover and duplicate stuff. The same rather superior attitude is found here and you do get the feeling the shop is doing you a favour rather than the other way round. But the music is great and prices aren't as crazy as you might expect. One for the browsers rather than the banter seeker.

Another one of the buy-sell-trade, this one is for the vinyl-heads and dance fans only…read more Frequenters of whatever they call Virgin these days, probably should stay away. Unbelieveable choice. I'll say that again, they got unbelievable choice. So you are wading through hundreds of records. And you know from the staff behind the counter that they're really only selling quality. You could probably trace the history of British dance beats through the rows of this shop, as the sign on the door says: House Soul Jazz Hip Hop Drum & Bass Techno Reggae. So there it is, if you want these genres on vinyl, then come in. Probably not many better shops in London

This a really cool shop. The shop is a record and CD exchange and, I presume, part of a chain of…read moreexchange shops that exist around Notting Hill. They sell hip hop and soul LPs and CDs. There are a good selection of both. With a range that includes the mainstream and the diverse. I do not have an LP player which constantly annoys me when I visit this shop. The selection of vinyl is awesome, the range is excellent and when I last went they selection included mainstream classic Wu Tang albums as well as rare Peanut Butter Wolf LPs. A great place if you're looking to start, or round out, a Hip Hop and Soul collection.

This location was ok. Disappointed as a blogger had given it a great review…read more Like everything in these stores it's all luck and hit and miss. I love this area so would pop in again

Those who read my reviews have probably realised that I have a certain weakness for charity…read morestores...so here is another one; in the Marylebone area, this little Oxfam outlet specialises in books and music. Like all charity stores it is completely hit or miss, but it's a nice store, well stocked and maintained. And there is this satisfying feeling you get when buying something there, which you cant get in other shops. I have to be careful not to buy the same books again, since I return most of them to the same charity shops....