click here for The Convoy Records website

When did your shop first open?
April 2003

Who owns it/runs it?
Me!

How did you get involved in the first place?
I have collected records obsessively since the punk rock revolution of the late 70’s. I was lucky enough to have access to Andy’s Records In Bury St Edmunds and Cambridge where I did a lot of my early buying. Years passed and the collection grew and grew until the point, about 21 years ago, where I was so miserable in the day job I decided to give it a go, thinking I knew something about records!! Didn’t take me long to realise I knew nothing!! I know a bit now!!

What do you specialise in - new/secondhand? chart/independent/specialist? local/national/international? any particular genres? vinyl/CD? LPs/singles?
We are 100% vinyl. About 70% used, 30% New. We only buy used records from smoke free homes and we only buy records in VG+ condition or better. The new stock is mainly reissues and a few current releases. Main genres include Punk, Alt, Indie, Reggae & Psych, Prog, Metal, Classic Rock, Soul. We a really good selection of LPs & Singles.

Do you offer a mail order service?
We have nearly 3000 records listed on Discogs. This stock is completely separate from the shop floor stock. The link to the Discogs stock can be accessed via a link on our website or directly on Discogs (user name:convoyrecords)..

Can you describe your typical customer?
These days it would be impossible to pigeonhole our customers as we are located in a Craft & Antique Centre which also has a large Holiday Park attached to it (Caravans, Glamping Pods & Camping).

Which two or three artists are you currently seeing most demand for?
Nirvana & The Beatles

How to you see the next two or three years for the shop?
I think our future depends on our ability to keep buying quality record collections. We pay well for our stock and have been very lucky over the years! If the big record companies continue to price people out of the New Record market I can see us pulling back from stocking as much new stock.

How do you feel about Record Store Day?
I have never taken part but think that what was once well-intentioned and a fantastic opportunity has possibly become something else altogether.

Do you run any in-shop signings/live sessions?
We have never hosted any events and, given the space and location, I cannot see that changing.

You can find Rupert at Convoy Records, Lady Heyes, Kingsley Road, Frodsham, WA6 6SU. Check out their website Convoy Records