A MAN who claims to have visited more record shops in the UK than anyone says Brighton is one of the best places to buy and sell vinyl.

Nine years ago, author Graham Jones documented the decline of record shops in his best-selling book Last Shop Standing.

However, since then vinyl records have made a spectacular comeback and Graham has published a new book, The Vinyl Revival and the Shops That Made It Happen, which comes out on Friday.

The book is a guide to independent record shops that sell vinyl. It also entails personal stories of shop owners who have helped make the vinyl revolution happen.

Graham, a regular visitor to Brighton, said he highly recommends the city for vinyl lovers.

He said: “I’ve spent 32 years travelling around the UK visiting record shops. Over the years, I must have visited about 2,000 different shops.

“Independent shops are responsible for the vinyl revival.

“Brighton is a place I recommend for shoppers because it’s such an exciting place.

“You have shops selling a variety of different vinyl, from bargain, rock bottom prices to new vinyl.

“You can’t rush shopping for vinyl in Brighton so it’s a perfect weekend break for collectors.

“Other places like Lewes also has fantastic shops, so you’re not short of options.”

Graham has visited shops including Bella Union Vinyl Shop and Coffee, Fine Records, Rarekind Records, Resident, Vinyl Revolution and Viva Vinyl.

He said: “It’s so different to what it was like years ago when vinyl sales declined.

“In Brighton you had popular shops like Rounder Records and Borderline Records which had to close.

“It was very depressing.

“You can’t really say ‘how’s it going?’ to owners because many of them were losing sales.

“But it’s changed now. The vinyl revolution is a fantastic scene.

“Business owners have a passion for vinyl.

“From my experience, the difference between record shops now and 15 years ago is it is more welcoming.

“Staff are enthusiastic. Fifteen years ago staff treat the shop like it was a special club so it discouraged more people from visiting.

“Naturally there’s a lot of competition now. So it’s important for record shops to be a part of the community.

“Examples include putting on gigs and supporting local music bands.

“Some shops like Viva Vinyl include a coffee shop to make it an inviting musical hub for everyone.”

Graham was born in Anfield, Liverpool. He managed the Cherry Boys, a cult band from Liverpool, and is a founder of Proper Music Distribution.

He has spent 32 years selling to independent record shops. Graham will be telling comic tales of his travels from his new book at Viva Vinyl, Queen Victoria Avenue, Hove, on September 21.

The record shop is also holding its one year anniversary bash on the same day.