Flashback records is well named, as the little shop in Crouch End has all of the soul and excitement of the record shops that were to be found on every high street in the late 20th century. Older people will feel a strong sense of nostalgia for Saturdays spent browsing the latest albums and singles, pocket money at the ready. Then these shops disappeared and re-emerged as pretty serious-looking ‘vinyl libraries’, full of real aficionados with little time for a light-weight shopper. Flashback Crouch End was founded in 2006 with a view to changing this record shop experience from an intimidating run-in with surly cooler-than-thou members of staff into an enjoyable way to spend some time, knowing that the staff will be happy to assist you, whether your interest is Frank Sinatra or the Wu-Tang. What they don’t know they will go out of their way to find out for you.
It’s not easy keeping a shop like this going in view of amazing price deals with online retailers and free downloads etc but Flashback has forged a name for itself as a destination, independent shop, where customers can enjoy a whole different experience. They sell CD’s as well as records and have a DVD stock that includes mainstream releases, box-sets and cult classics at really competitive prices. They have even been voted 17th best shop in the whole of London in a recent Time Out survey – that’s all shops in London, not just Music Shops! And one last thing – they offer a full money-back guarantee for faulty goods which includes the cost of postage – that’s good service which should be music to your ears.
Flashback Records – 144 Crouch Hill, Crouch End, N8 9DX
Tel: 0208 3429633 Open almost every day of the year. http://flashback.co.uk/
