519 Wilbraham Rd, Chorlton, Manchester M21 OUF
Opening Hours:Mon-Sat 10-5.30pm
Website: http://www.kingbeerecords.co.uk/
Telephone: 0161 860 4762
King Bee Records in Chorlton is, I believe, the sorting office for all record collectors in South Manchester. Between us we ship new stock in and at the same time plunder one anothers “saleables” whether through misfortune, moves, rent cheques or separations! The number of times I have nipped out for a paper only to come back with a Gong album and Peter Tosh CD instead. I wonder on occasion if Les is a secret Socialist as he successfully redistributes the cream of South Manchester record collections.
This shop is a winner for many reasons, from the cheap stock LPs (we all need a Steely Dan album every now and then) through to the specialisms of Reggae, Funk and Northern Soul 45s. Indeed if rare 7″s are your thing then be prepared to scrabble through box after box of dusty delights and if King Bee doesn’t have something of interest I will be amazed. The shop itself is around eighty percent vinyl covering Rock, Pop, Soul, Psych, Prog, Jazz, Disco, Funk, Blues, New Wave, Folk and Indie too. There is a turntable for listening to your selections, but be warned, there can be a queue for it especially on a Saturday afternoon, but that’s part of the experience!
King Bee deals mostly with used Vinyl and CDs but does carry some new stock. For you hardcore collectors out there it’s fair to say that Les is a specialist when it comes down to Reggae and Northern, and one of my favourite pastimes is flipping through the Bass Heavy Reggae singles and shelves of rare Vinyl. Go in on a Saturday afternoon where they always have the Football commentary over the shop Stereo, enjoy the punters banter, rifle through racks of 70s Funk or New Wave 7s and what could be more perfect…..ahhhh DJ Heaven!
harvey says
les at kingbee just had to say pays the very best prices for punk records
Crate Digger says
This is probably just about as good as it gets in terms of secondhand record shops in the UK, particularly with regard to Northern Soul, Soul, Reggae, Jazz & Funk on vinyl. The shop also has a good selection of other genres such as Indie, Rock, Prog, Blues etc. The turnover of stock compared to other record stores is impressive, the selection and variety excellent and prices extremely reasonable. It’s possible therefore to come away with some great bargains on stuff you may have given up on ever getting, such is the quality of this place.
Charlie says
It is impossible to leave this shop without buying something. The prices, the staff, the variety of stock; King Bee is difficult to top. A genuinely wonderful place.
Tone says
Definitely the most reasonably priced record shop in Manchester. Especially good for it’s cheap northern soul, reggae and sixties 7’s. Most genres have a standard and collectable section too, meaning that whether you’re wanting to bolster your collection or get your hands on a pristine rarity, it’s definitely the place to visit. I’ve found some absolute gems lurking in it’s vaults!
JoeyRamone says
See under “Vinyl Exchange” – took some rare foreign Beatles stuff there for a swap to be told it was the Beatles buyer’s day off,was offered & took £7 for a Bowie LP because it was worth £18 but was in the racks for £40 on my next visit,never found anything but racks of records overpriced based on condition and treat the £40 copy of the Wailing Souls War 12″ on Greensleeves as an old family friend. If Les from Kingbee was in charge of this gaffe you’d need bouncers on the door to keep the peace from 9am on Monday to 5pm on Saturday.We’ll give Les the sabbath off.
Thefrench says
The worst seller I ever had! I buy two vinyls on his internet shop, and I never received it.
nilo says
hi i’am Nilo from BOLIVIA ,Definitely …king bee records is a positive salesman
greetings MIKE !!!!