Step inside Nottingham’s treasure trove of thousands of records

It’s known as Nottingham’s Aladdin’s Cave of records but the owner, Robert Smith, 71, can find anything you’re looking for. Found in Hurts Yard, a quaint alley in the heart of the city, Rob’s Record Mart is a treasure trove of thousands of LPs, singles and CDs just waiting to be discovered.

Now in its 45th year, current owner Rob took over in 1980 from his friend after joining in 1979. His reputation for finding records among his huge collection harks back to the old days when he mainly sold singles and had to keep things where he could find them.

Unfortunately, these days, he has to ask customers to leave it with him to have a look. The shop consists of one room you can access, while the other two are filled to the brim with boxes of music.

Rob found his passion for records in his teenage years. He purchased his first record player when he was 14, and, he became obsessed.

Leaving school early, Rob worked with records for most of his life, starting at the record department at the Co-Op in Nottingham city centre.

“My parents were surprisingly ok with it,” he said. Despite owning a huge collection, Rob said it was hard to pick his favourite, with “soul singers” being amongst his favourite genres.

Rob explained vinyl making a comeback had been a good thing, but he had never struggled to make a sale. However when CDs came around “business looked a bit dodgy for a time.”

Although the format dwindled, the collection continued to grow, and doesn’t stop at the jam-packed storefront.

“Years ago the landlord got some people in to put some stuff in storage. The problem is you usually buy some stuff in bulk and you end up with about two records you want and 30 you don’t.”

Rob jokingly said he just needs to get rid of some stuff. Although Rob has over 50 years worth of experience in the record business, and the collection to show for it, he shows no signs of slowing down.

He stated that he still has the enthusiasm to sell and the buying and selling isn’t slowing down with new records coming in often, throughout the week.