1 Newton Street, Manchester M1 1HW
Opening Hours:Monday to Sunday 09:00 –19:30
Website: https://sites.google.com/site/empirexchange/
Telephone: 0161 236 4445
This place is an absolute gem and well worth an afternoon of any music junkies time. This isn’t purely a record shop, but essentially a huge basement full of books, comics, magazines and stacks of vinyl and CDs, as well as 78s and possibly even some wax cylinders underneath all that, who knows.
It can be a little overwhelming at first and you’ll possibly be rubbing shoulders with collectors of ‘specialist magazines’ but, what the hell, this is what it’s all about, the place has an edge and boxes and boxes full of vinyl as well as sagging CD shelves, so just get down and dirty and have the shower later. In truth this is the kind of place I love as you really don’t know what you’re going to find. I have friends who have pulled some absolute stone cold gems out of here, particularly in the Electro and Hip Hop field and on my last visit I came away ten pounds lighter and with some great obscure 45s.
Its a free for all with all points covered from your obvious Rock n’ Pop through to Reggae, Soul, Funk, Hip Hop, 50s, 60s, Film Soundtracks, Comedy Records…its got the lot. It also has stacks of music magazines as well as old Pop annuals, Beatles mags and music books. No listening post that I’m aware of but the guys behind the counter are friendly enough and although clearly used to dealing with a fair number of scallywags still offer some smiles and patience. One’s a Red and one’s a Blue so take your pick!
DarianKay says
do you have to be 18 to sell stuff to empire exchange?
admin says
They certainly sell a few publications down there that are strictly for grown-ups(!) but as for you selling stuff to them I don’t know to be honest. Give ’em a ring, details at the top of this page.
Andy says
First time going in this shop today, didn’t really have much time to browse unfortunately, definitely want to take a longer trip here in the future!
Christy says
I dropped into this wonderful shop and was amazed at the brilliant collection of DVDs music ,books, mags, badges, ect ,ect, it’s a shop you can loose track of time and enjoy browsing around ! THE STAFF ,, what can I say,, THE MOST helpful staff I HAVE EVER CAME ACROSS! If any staff member can remember two DUBLIN lads talkin about ( the scooters, , AND the RS2000 ) I’d just like to say a HUGE THANK YOU for been so polite and helpful,
Christy says
MANCHESTER !!!!!!!! Check out this store you’ll be amazed ,,, cheers to the staff ,hope to visit soon, DUBLIN christy
Rob Stevenson says
This place is the best crate digging shop bar none!! Give yourself plenty of time to browse though because there is loads of vinyl to search through !!! I will be returning soon ! Love it !!!!
Nigel Horsler says
I love this shop. Been in a few times and have never left disappointed. Always good value and I’m already saving up for my next trip. This shop is just great