A POPULAR record shop in Malvern is in a spin after being recommended by comedian Stewart Lee.
Carnival Records in Church Street is one of a number of record shops to have made it onto Lee’s New Year list of things he “arrogantly recommends”.
The stand-up described the store, which celebrated a decade in the town last year, as a “friendly vinyl-horde”.
Former BBC journalist Chris Heard runs the shop with manager Russ Brown and hi-fi expert Lionel Martin.
“It was brilliant being namechecked by Stewart Lee because we’re big fans of his and he is a scholar of great music,” said Chris.
“He is so knowledgable and passionate as a music lover himself. He has a vast collection, from folk to indie, and he is always cheerful and funny whenever he comes in.”
READ MORE: How a Malvern record shop went against the grain to find 10 years of success
The recommendation from Lee follows a bumper December for Carnival Records.
“Christmas was busy in the shop as many people are returning to vinyl, especially a younger generation who are buying their favourite artists on LP and even tape - as well as the odd CD still, of course,” said Chris.
“As well as records, many people bought their loved ones vouchers so they can have a browse themselves and purchase at their leisure.
“We have customers buying new and reissue vinyl as well as second-hand. About half of the shop’s stock is currently turned over to sealed/new vinyl.
“The big sellers have been Taylor Swift, Arctic Monkeys, Wet Leg and Kendrick Lamar.”
When it comes to the team’s hopes for 2023, it seems to be a case of if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
“Our plans are pretty much the same every year,” said Chris. “We are going into our 12th year in our shop in Great Malvern, trying to live our best vinyl life and offering customers a good price for their unwanted records, keeping our stocks fresh and turning over.”
Stewart Lee brings his new show ‘Basic Lee’ to Malvern’s Forum Theatre on April 18 and 19. Tickets are £30.80 and are available from the Malvern Theatre box office.
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