Looking Back: ‘Great times at Andys Records’

Steve Norman sent us this picture of Andys Records in Peterborough.

Steve Norman got in touch and sent in a picture.

Steve wrote: “I was working for Andys and was manager for a long period between 1981 and 1989.

“The picture was taken at the lower Bridge Street shop and with me is my colleague Jon Cawood.”

The entrance to Andys Records when it was in Bridge Street.

Thanks, Steve and I’m sure lots of readers will remember you from the shop.

The first Andys Records store was opened in Cambridge by Andy Gray in 1976 who later expanded into Peterborough and other towns.

Roger Portess, from Orton Waterville, also got in touch.

He said: “In the late ‘70s - early ‘80s, I worked in the advertising department of The Cambridge Evening News, selling display advertising.

Workmen outside the first Peterborough Andy Record store in Lower Bridge Street.

“One of my regular clients was Andys Records, initially I seem to remember, from his original market stall on Cambridge Market.

“I remember speaking to Andy (or sometimes his brother Billy) each week in order to update the list of several hundred album titles and prices for inclusion in his regular full page display advertisement.

“Andy and Billy were always very shrewd businessmen but easy to deal with.”

On the PT’s Facebook page Paul Benton said: “I lived in Holbeach as a kid and caught the bus, then train to go record shopping in Peterborough.”

Colin Harvey wrote: “Spent a fortune in there! Unfortunately I didn’t have a fortune!”

Natalie Allen said: “I remember Andys records! They used to have a bargain bucket downstairs and as young teens we’d always rummage through for all the bargains.”

Do you have any memories of Andys Records? Do you still ahve your vinyl collection and what are you favourite albums?

Have you got any pictures of Peterborough people and places from the 60s, 70s, 80s or 90s?

If so, and you’d like to share them with Looking Back readers, send them to [email protected]