Second Spin

Video: Lorraine Bowen | The Second Spin Record Shop interview

Comments

Name: Tony May
Comment: As of now Second Spin is still in existence in Bexhill-on-Sea. For many years the shop was situated in Tunbridge Wells. Specialising in second-hand records in those days, the shop did a roaring trade and even offered a mail order service. I remember ordering The Rubettes' Sign Of The Times album from them and being disappointed when, after deciding to go on the train after all to pick it up, they charged me the same as quoted for the mail order!

Since moving to Bexhill (taking over the old Flywright Records premises) the owners (one of whom died) have gone more into new CDs and DVDs of the kind to suit the aging population of that town. It is essentially now a place to find nostalgia, show, easy listening, classical, and soundtrack stuff, but the shop still has some of its original vinyl stock and so is worth checking out if you are in the area and looking for something once common but now rare on vinyl.

Name: Tony May
Comment: Me again! Found out from the shop's owner, Philip Barrie, that the shop opened in 1985. The Tunbridge Wells branch was in existence from 1981-85. Second Spin is alive and kicking and has expanded its selection of CDs quite considerably since my last visit so it is well worth a visit if you are in the area.
(21 March 2012)

Name: Simon Wells
Comment: I love Second Spin - I used to go to their Tunbridge Wells branch back in the 1980s so am delighted it still lives on in sunny Bexhill!
(2020)

Geoff Martin

07 Aug 2024 at 10:54

What a service this wonderful shop gives. My wife ordered a CD and Philip had it ready for collection within 24 hours. More recently, I asked Philip to get me a piece of music I'd heard on the wireless - I didn't know what it was and could only tell him the time on Radio 3 - he researched it and sourced the CD within a few days. You get this sort of service so rarely anywhere these days, shops like this should have a preservation order put on them.

Dave Harwood

26 Nov 2024 at 09:12

I found this piece in the 'Bexhill-on-Sea Observer' dated 14th March 1985: “Only a couple of weeks after signing a solemn contract in blood to provide us with a weekly chart, Flyright Records have decided to close down. The Sackville Road shop will be taken over by Second Spin Records of Tunbridge Wells, who specialise in nostalgia. Pop line would like to thank Di and Simon Napier for their help during our all too brief consort and wish them all the best.”
... and this in the 24th December 1998 edition:
“SHOPPERS GOING CRACKERS - Everything seems to be God-sent, say Second Spin record shop of Sackville Road. Business is “excellent, terrific,” said Leonard Satterly. ”There are a lot of good quality recordings available this Christmas.” Top sales were Lesley Garrett, Barry Manilow’s tribute to Sinatra and Charlotte Church’s seasonal sacred music release, 'Voice of an Angel'.”