Shopping For CDs? A Recommendation.

I know it's a bit old-fashioned to actually buy CDs these days - as opposed to merely downloading them legally or illegally off the interpixieweb - but if you do, and you live in London, can I recommend Fopps?

Due to me having lost many, many CDs over the years - not the case you understand, just the disc - I decided to re-buy several of my collection. I'm glad I found this place as most of the stuff I bought was about £4 to £5 an album. There is a HUGE selection of artists, nicely laid out over two floors, including new releases at £9 to £10 an album. They also do DVDs and (mostly music related) books.

Being slightly surprised at the low prices, I started buying things I'd never owned before. But when it's a double live CD of The Wonderstuff for £3, or the first three Duran Duran albums in a boxed set for £7, it is easy to get excited. I left £42 lighter, but lots of discs to the good.

Fopps is located just off Shaftesbury Avenue where it meets Charing Cross Road. If you stand with your back to the theatre where Les Miserables used to be (and Spamalot will soon be, apparently) then it's pretty much in front of you on the far side of the crossroads. I don't think they have a website, but as part of the pleasure of going to a record store is actually looking through what else there is, this doesn't bother me in the slightest.

Usual disclaimer, I do not currently and have never previously worked for Fopps or its parent company (whoever they may be). If you go and don't like it as much as I did, then there's probably something wrong with you, or you're Jim (kingoftheforks) and only disliking it on purpose.