It’s a Labour of Love
Owning a record shop is a passion. It’s not something where, unless you’re Richard Branson, you’re going to be buying yourself a tropical island anytime soon. You go through ups and downs, but you keep moving forward. For us, it’s not about making millions – it’s about being part of something special and finding the right balance to keep it going.
Not All Vinyl is Created Equal
People come in with Elvis records thinking they’re worth a fortune, but most aren’t – unless it’s something really rare, like a first pressing of his debut album. There’s this perception that big names are always valuable, but that’s not how it works. Often, it’s the obscure artists no one has heard of that hold the real gems. I remember once we bought a collection and later discovered a rare 1969 album by a band called July. That was an amazing find.
A Life in Vinyl is a Life on Display
When we look at someone’s collection, you can see their whole life in it. It’s fascinating. People buy music at certain points in their life, and their records reflect those moments. We’ve had collections where someone has only ever listened to heavy metal, and others where it’s an eclectic mix. One minute, it’s Mantovani; the next, it’s Megadeth! Albums follow you through your life, and each one tells a story. It’s like piecing together someone’s autobiography, but in vinyl form.

It’s Not as Snobby as Some Think
Our ethos is about community. It’s not about isolating people because they don’t know about a rare pressing of the The Beatles’ White Album or some obscure trivia. Whether you know a lot about music or not much at all, you can come in, feel safe and have a conversation about music. We’ve always wanted Spinning Discs to be a welcoming space, somewhere it’s all about connecting with people, not showing off what you know.
Hindsight is a Vinyl Collector’s Best Friend
There was a period in the late 90s and early 2000s when people were picking up records for next to nothing. You could walk into a Sheffield shop like Fopp and find albums for £3 that are worth hundreds now. It wasn’t just about the money; these were great albums, too. If I could turn back time, I’d be buying Blur’s Think Tank and others like it every day of the week. The value of vinyl has skyrocketed since then, and it’s fascinating to see how these records have become so sought after. If only I’d known back then what I know now!
Sheffield’s Spinning Discs has been a cornerstone of the city’s vinyl scene since 2015, run by the ever-passionate Martin Black. Pop in to see their swanky new store at 1 Lees Hall Avenue, S8 9JE.