Which was your favourite record shop in Ipswich as a teenager?

Ipswich Star: Radio DJ Bruno Brookes cut the cake as he officially opened the new Virgin Megastore in Ipswich in 1986Radio DJ Bruno Brookes cut the cake as he officially opened the new Virgin Megastore in Ipswich in 1986 (Image: Archant)

Long before the days of CDs, let alone streaming and downloads, youngsters across the area saved up their pocket money to buy the latest 45s and albums.

Today we're looking back at some of the most popular music shops

Parrot Records, in Queen Street in Ipswich town centre, was the place to browse through endless stacks of LPs back in the 1970s. Top DJ Noel Edmonds carried out the official opening in 1976.

Later on the store became Rex Records, and continued to be the town's best-known independent record shop until it finally closed in 2005, marking the end of an era.

Ipswich Star: Fans watching A Happy Accident at the Virgin Megastore, Westgate Street, Ipswich in 2006Fans watching A Happy Accident at the Virgin Megastore, Westgate Street, Ipswich in 2006 (Image: Archant)

The Ipswich branch of Virgin Megastore was another popular place to buy records, and our gallery includes a photo of DJ Bruno Brookes cutting the cake at an official opening in 1986.

Ipswich Star: Long View playing at Rex Records, Ipswich in 2005Long View playing at Rex Records, Ipswich in 2005 (Image: Archant)

Another fondly remembered record shop was Andy's Records, which had branches around the area.

In more recent years, vinyl fans have also been able to seek out their favourite music at pop-up shop events in Ipswich Tourist Information Centre, which has now sadly closed.

Ipswich Star: Long View playing at Rex Records in Ipswich in 2005Long View playing at Rex Records in Ipswich in 2005 (Image: Archant)

And local legend Out of Time Records in Fore Street has a great reputation as the place to find vintage albums, although it has had to temporarily close during lockdown.

Ipswich Star: Chris Mortimer, manager of Out Of Time Records, Fore Street, Ipswich, in 2013. The shop is looking forward to reopening after lockdownChris Mortimer, manager of Out Of Time Records, Fore Street, Ipswich, in 2013. The shop is looking forward to reopening after lockdown (Image: Archant)

What are your record shop memories? Email judy.rimmer@archant.co.uk To order photos, visit our website or call Diane Townsend on 01603 772449.

Ipswich Star: Steve Langdon running a pop-up record store at the Ipswich Tourist Information Centre in 2014Steve Langdon running a pop-up record store at the Ipswich Tourist Information Centre in 2014 (Image: Archant)