They still do, and 'kids' of all ages should be pleasantly surprised at just how many places in this city they can still buy records from. So this is our one-stop guide to the fantastic record shops of Greater Manchester, from the 'Vinyl Valley' that is Oldham Street in the Northern Quarter, to the windswept streets of Bolton, Lancashire. Browse the menu on the right hand side and go shopping! 
Visit Manchester
| Address | Empire Exchange, 1 Newton Street, Manchester M1 1HW |
| Opening Hours | Monday to Saturday 09:00 – 17:30, Sundays 13:00 – 18:30 |
| Phone | 0161 236 4445 |
| Website | www.empire-uk.com |
| Sells: | Second hand Vinyl and CDs plus books, mags, memorabilia, DVDs |
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 its 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. Ones a Red and ones a Blue so take your pick!
Empire also has a publishing arm, mostly Sports related but I’m sure some of our readers might like to get hold of a copy of ‘Morrisey’s Manchester’ their Smiths/Mozzer tour guide. Details here:
do you have to be 18 to sell stuff to empire exchange?
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.