Selman's

Late 1960s, i remember Selman's being open on a Sunday morning - I bought my 1st single there, 'I Want You Back' by Jackson 5.
Great shop - the records could be played so you could listen to them before buying.

I can remember that they ran a record club, I think it was a shilling or 9p a week, I cannot remember how it worked, but when it was your turn you you could buy records up to the monies that you paid. My aunt Flo used to collect the cash, my first record that I had was a Pinky & Perky single, at the cost of 6 shillings & 7d (35p). I must have been 5 or 6 years of age.

I also remember Melody Man also in Barking road, opposite Croyden Road, That opened early seventy's. There was also another one at the Abbey Arms near the old Natwest bank, cannot remember the name. another senior moment

I worked in Selmans in the late 50s to early 60s and loved every minute playing all the latest records and chatting to everyone.

The Selmans at 245 Barking Road were my grandparents.

Selman's was my grandparents' shop. They couldn't play the records on a Sunday as it was illegal to sell them that day. Half of the shop was a tobacconist so they could open on Sundays for that part of the shop. However, they still sold records if a customer wanted to buy one.
I had a Saturday job there when I was 13, to help my grandmother, after my grandfather died.

I used visit my Nan in Canning Town on a Saturday in the 60's with my mother and always went to Selman's to buy a 45 record or two sad those days are gone anyone of my age (80) we had the best time it will never be the same again

I remember Selman's when you could buy any 45, even if it had been deleted for years. Mr Selman must have had a huge back catalogue. Would get a pint of Sarsaparilla in the herbalists next door then go in Selman's to flick through the LPs. Regarding Chris Skeat's note re: a record shop at the Abbey, this was Rons For Records. Last saw Skeatsie emerging from a bush when I was jogging through Wanstead Park many years ago, although it feels like yesterday.

Concerning my previous of 07/07/25 Rons For Records also had a stall in Rathbone Market near Caters supermarket on a Saturday decorated with LP covers and blasting out discs of the day I remember Tom Jones hit Ill never fall in love again being played and women of the older generation stopping in their tracks to listen, no doubt remembering some lost love of before the war. However although in my opinion underated it would be difficult at that time to beat Selmans for Records for sheer current and back catalogue.

I well remember buying records at Selmans in the late 50,s as was courting a young lady who lived in Canning Town.I must have a look on the few records I still have to see if any have their label on them.

There is a photo of an earlier 'Selmans for Records' shop bag (with the old telephone exchange of ALBert Dock 2245), together with a few comments, at this link:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/354799017876410/posts/8658900514132844/

Hello.
I have wonderful memories of Selmans.
I think it was open on Christmas Day which was exciting as you could spent your Christmas money or vouchers and buy a record for the family party that night.
This would have been 1960s or early.
I recall the thrill of going there Christmas Day or have I imagined this. I would appreciate any comments or information. Thank you.

Wow! Stumbled on this site quite by accident. Well remember Selman's, still got loads of singles from the 60's and 70's here with their name on. My very first single I bought at the age of 8 was "Wipeout" by the Surfaris. I was doing "penny for the guy" at the Abbey Arms on a cold Saturday, and actually collected around 7/6d - a single in those days was 6/8d (33p). I didn't even have a record player but loved the song so much listening to Radio Luxembourg (on the tranny under the pillow - that would raise a wry smile nowadays), but I bought the single. That forced my parents to get me a record player for my xmas present - along with a £1 record voucher which was spent at Selman's on Glad all over by the Dave Clark Five, I wanna be your man, by the Rolling Stones, and I only want to be with you, by the one and only Dusty Springfield. Great days. Re Andy's earlier posts (hope he's still posting and reading this) Abbey Electrics in Balaam St always used to sell singles as well, and I used them also in the 60's and 70's.

Happy days!