Kingbee Records

I have been visiting Manchester & Leeds since the mid 90’s No trip to the UK is complete without a trip to King Bee in Chorlton (Manchester). Simply one of the great record shops I have ever been to. Unassuming when you first walk in but then you start digging and keep finding gem after gem. This last trip, a few weeks ago, I found an Lp I have been after for 15 years. Lemon Jelly– KY. Reasonably priced as well.
Such a fantastic shop.

Lovely shop with golden finds by The The, Bert Jansch, and Dusty Springfield

Still the best in Manchester.
Whether its nurse with wound or beach boys unsurpassed masters they are all there.
Reasonable prices and friendly service

I love this place. Real friendly and the prices are decent too.
I often make the pilgrimage from Leeds to come here and dig for records. It’s way way way better than the trendy holes you get down Oldham Street and the distance means its a quieter and more peasant experience. I have fond memories of this place when I used to live in Manchester.
It’s that good it can even get a Scouser out of Liverpool to dig for records.

I am indebted to Kingbee.
A few years ago, my brother asked me to deejay at a 30^th birthday party for him and his mates. When he casually mentioned it was in 48 hours time and he didn’t want me to play the 70s records I already had — Patti Smith, Television, New York no wave, etc — I began to panic. Since I was in Chorlton at the time, I went into Kingbee on the off chance they’ might have a couple of records I could get. When I saw they had racks of 70s disco, pop and rock, I could have kissed the owner.
Instead, I spent the next hour digging through the racks and checking out different tracks on their turntable. If it had been a Friday or Saturday, I would have had a long line of grumpy record collectors behind me, impatiently waiting to play their chosen records. As it was, I had the turntable to myself and left the shop with two bags stuffed with goodies. Amazingly, the whole lot only came to £30 and the guy offered to buy back any records I didn’t want a few days later.
What did I get? A couple of mint T-​Rex, David Bowie and Roxy Music albums, compilations featuring Abba, The Bee Gees, Hot Chocolate and Sister Sledge and lots of excellent Blondie, Soft Cell, Sylvester, The Specials and Curtis Mayfield 7″ and 12“s. Suffice to say, my brothers and his mates danced all night.

Kingbee is the only shop in Chorlton dedicated to records (although you can also find quirky retro records in Wowie Zowie! on Manchester Road and an assortment of old vinyl in the plethora of charity shops on the Wilbraham Road).
As endearing as the vintage yellow Kingbee sign is, I don’t own a record player and have been known to buy things because they look pretty, so I tend to stay away from this record shop as it can be quite pricey. I looked at a couple of the Cure’s 7 inch singles but at £30 a pop they would make expensive pictures for my wall. If I had the money I’d go wild in this shop. £750 for a signed Led Zep tour poster from 1980? Bargain!
It’s not just vintage records that Kingbee sell. You can pick up a 7inch limited edition of The Ting Tings’ ‘That’s Not My Name’ for £35.
All in all, a great place for collectors and serious vinyl fans, but a bit pricey for the rest of us. However, if you’ve got boxes of old vinyl in your attic, Kingbee may be able to take them off your hands.

Kingbee records reminds me of the record shop in Pretty in Pink, the 80s bratpack movie featuring screen heroes Andie and Duckie. It doesn’t surprise me that this store opened just a year after its release, and has changed very little since; the original signage as well as unkempt windows packed with dogeared posters just adds to the charm.
There’s thousands of second hand records in here covering every genre from Blues, Funk, Dance, Reggae and Soul from the 1950s onwards. Spend an afternoon perusing the aisles in here and I gaurantee any vinyl lover will leave laden with collectibles you didn’t think were still around. An original 1967 pressing of Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band will set you back £90 but other popular titles like The Beach Boys’ 1966 hit ‘God Only Knows’ is just £15. Now there’s an original Valentine’s gift.

Agree with Mpchooligan, this is a great record shop. Tend to pop in there once a month to treat myself and always get good service. Love to browse the records and I never sense I’m being watched and certainly have no pressure to buy (but usually do end up buying).
Only downside is that Busy Bee Toys has closed down next door, so now the little uns don’t like to walk over as it is the other side of Chorlton to where I live. But that is nothing to do with this great record shop.

The best record shop in Manchester! The guy in here is dead friendly and not snobby unlike the so called dudes the Northern Quarter and he knows his music! It’s also dead cheap!
There is new stock in almost every week so you’re guaranteed something new each time you visit!
One of the negatives is that it’s far out in Chorlton, but thou shall be rewarded!