Dave Harwood
These other comments may be of interest, particularly the one that mentions other record shops in the area:
Originally posted by Neil the Eagle
Thanks to the long-departed Showells records of West Wickham.
Oh yes, I remember Showells. Along with KMK (Beckenham High St), the Record Trade Centre (Clockhouse), and the short-lived Strummers (Penge High St). And of course Bonapartes (East Croydon). I can even remember Robertson's in Beckenham!
Psychokiller
21-01-2009, 09:16 PM
Showells Record Shop in West Wickham. What a miserable **** the bloke in there was.
Showells Record shop, High St West Wickham, c1979, now Marks and Spencer
Showells Record Shop, Now Marks and Spencer, West Wickham, 1985
Picture of Showells Record Centre bag.
Different picture of Showells Record Centre bag plus 3 comments
Comment
Ah Showells, originally a greetings card shop with a record area at the back. Music eventually took over. I lived in West Wickham and in the late 60’s/70’s regularly bought singles from them. The owner was Brian Showell and I remember when Mungo Jerry’s In the summertime became number 1, he had boxes of that single on the counter selling like hot cakes. The original parade of shops, Showells, a gentlemen’s outfitters and an aquarium bordering the unigate dairy were demolished and a new M&S food hall built.
When remembering local record stores of the 1970’s and 80’smentioned must go to WH Smith in Bromley, the department managed for many years by my good friend John R.
Does anyone remember that Alan Freeman had a store within Medhursts in Bromley. Also Robertson’s in Beckenham, a sort of Curry’s electrical with a record dept upstairs.
Name
Richard Thompson
(2021)
Comment
Oh happy days, I used to shop at showers every Saturday, after being paid on a Friday, Brian, the owner was very good to me he ordered me the entire back catalogue of Beatles singles and LP’s that I didn’t already own, Brian was brilliant with his knowledge of music particularly early 60’s and late 50’s. The shop originally had two listening booths which there was always a queue for and the shop was a hub for many music fans like me. I always managed to find an album or single to buy, hence my rather large range of vinyl records both singles and LP’s which I treasure to this day, next door was the UD milk yard and the other side a men's outfitter which my friends brother worked and a aquatic shop.
West Wickham to me has lost its old charm, my Dad used to manage the Co-operative shop on the corner, and having spent my youth in West Wickham remember it very well, but as Howells will always be a big part of my life as I spent most of my wages in the shop.
Name
Richard East
(2022)
Comment
The place that almost defined my teens. Walking there to flick through all the album racks staring in wonder at all the LPs I wanted but couldn’t afford and sometimes leaving with a single (7” only in those days). The excitement of getting new T.Rex and Slade singles. Last weekend I saw Elton John’s Farewell Yellowbrick Road concert at the O2 on Easter Sunday. I remember that I brought my first EJ single (Rocket Man) and Album (Don”t Shoot Me…) at Showell’s in 1972. Whilst listening to Goodbye Yellowbrick Road I was reminded of having an Easter school holiday job at Sainsbury’s in West Wickham and on Saturday after getting my first pay packet (literally cash in a brown envelope in those days!) I walked to Showell’s Records in the High Street and if my memory serves me right spend £3.25 on the GYR double LP. Memories.
Name
raymond Hill
(2023)
1983
