Looking Back: ‘The shop that gave the city a soundtrack’

You might think the theme of this week’s pictures was ‘men with shovels’. But you’d be wrong!
By Nigel Thornton
Published 24th Jan 2021, 06:00 BST
Do you remember Andys Records?Do you remember Andys Records?
Do you remember Andys Records?

I set photographer Chris Porsz the challenge of finding some pictures of Andys Records from his vast archive of Peterborough street pictures.

To Chris’s disappointment he couldn’t find many.

The store was one of the city’s best loved and as one of the few independent music shops provided a vital service to music lovers whose tastes stretched beyond chart music.

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Police incident outside Andys Records.Police incident outside Andys Records.
Police incident outside Andys Records.

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

The first city store was located on Lower Bridge Street.

In the picture with the council workers shovelling snow you can just see the Lower Bridge Street store in the top right hand corner.

The store later moved to Bridge Street near the Town Hall.

Shovelling snow near Andys Records (see top right).Shovelling snow near Andys Records (see top right).
Shovelling snow near Andys Records (see top right).

The next pictures show that store.

The company went into administration in 2003.

Do you have any memories of Andys? What did the store mean to you?

If you have any pictures or stories to share please get in touch at [email protected]

Related topics:Chris PorszPeterboroughAndy GrayCambridgeTown Hall

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