In the mid to late 1970s i loved browsing through the record shops of Guildford. My favourite was Dereks records in the high street which was situated half way up the high street on the left next to the bulls head pub.the records were all in those hard plastic covers which shreaded the skin on your fingers if not flicked through with caution!i always remember my Dad promising to buy me walls and bridges by John Lennon but he never did! Comment:Ben Darnton.
I was the store manager at the Guildford branch of Derek's Records. I started off as an assistant for Wax Records with the Ashworth brothers. I have fond memories Of Derek arriving at the store in his Caddilac - magic. I enjoyed my time there until unfortunately the store was closed. Still remember Phil Collins and the Who members shopping there. The pub next door was the in place to hang out before going to Cinderellas.
Derek never worried about traffic wardens - he parked the Cad right outside the store on the busy high street - legend!
Comment : Julie Hughes.
(Sept 6, 2014) Deryck said:Wow - there was a DEREK'S Records in Turnpike Lane, London, N22 too.
I used them a lot in the 70s & 80s for my dance 12" vinyls.
And I've still got the disc-cleaner with their logo on it which I still use!
I remember the guy that worked in there - I always thought he was Derek.
Was it a chain? Or did Derek close Guildford & open in Turnpike Lane?
(June 19, 2014) Julie rowland said:There was another branch in Guilford that specialised in classical music - only about a 5 min walk away
(Aug 16, 2012) James Whitmarsh said:Derek is my Grandfather and I would be keen to trace any Dereks Records items - such as the image used above. If anyone has items I would love to hear from you. pepsi4jake@gmail.com Thank You
(Apr 11, 2012) Roger Nelson. said:Worked for Dereks for about a year. Strange outfit. Concentrated on stocking oldies. The shop on Wentwrth Stret though was a haven for disco. It imported many American 12" singles and supplied many leading club DJs. Broke many singles. Derek Fox, the owner, was so appalled by the Pistols on The Bill Grundy thing, that he banned all their releases. Worked at Edmonton, Wood Green, Walthamstow, Wentworth Street and Guildford.
Name Sue Chrispin Comment: Hi, In reply to James Whitmarsh, I used to go to a record shop off Petticoat Lane when I worked in London in the 80's. Could that have been your grandfather's shop? I have forgotten the names of the staff but they were fab, always had a record put by for me to listen to as they knew what I liked (jazz funk soul) and it was so exciting, one they had ready for me was signed :-) (July 23, 2017)
David Hepworth Deep 70's
