Hand-written signs on the doors, the latest indie band concert posters on the stairs leading to the genre-stretching departments of the upper and lower floors, unkempt, sticky floors… The prices are on either a card insert for the CDs with the booklet ready for you to have a read through the credits (who played the triangle on that number 1 hit?), or on a sticker labelled to the many vinyl covers that have been bought, sold, re-bought, re-sold... The prices are reduced on a periodical basis, with the staff writing on these labels the next pound off, every time using a different-colour marker pen.
The Music & Video Exchange should not exist in this day of the download and the British high street but it so proudly does, chest out and head held high with headphones on, listening to the latest gems found here.
What I love most about the Music & Video Exchange is the self-titled Bargain Basement. CDs surround the walls, vinyls in the centre and I have unearthed upon many a visit a complete, 10-album back catalogue and still had change from ten pounds. There is no database of stock, just look in the many different categories.
The Exchange chain also has other stores around the corner on Pembridge Road in the form of comics, books and clothing, all offering a trip back in time and an impulsive tug of the purse strings or a tap of plastic now that we are in the 2000s.
Find your way with 246 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Three Falcons serves some of London’s best Indian food, with hearty curries, cheesy naan and a warm atmosphere that’s perfect for sharing with friends.
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Walpole spent most of his life transforming the building into his own ‘little Gothic castle’, with battlements, arched doorways and stained glass windows.
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Aside from its compelling history, what really sets Fitzrovia Chapel apart is its extraordinary gold mosaic ceiling. So don't forget to look up!
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What really sets Book 28 apart, is their commitment to sourcing intersectional literature that would be unlikely to appear in your average public library.
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Savour your food, indulge in good conversation and when you’ve scraped your plate clean, go out onto the patio for a long, drawn-out coffee in the sun.
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Everything I’ve tried in this restaurant is delicious and plentiful. I love the bread, the dips and I can guarantee that their saffron rice is to die for!
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I immediately fell in love with Redemption Roasters for their strong mission, big social impact, and great coffee of course. Plus an excellent brunch menu!
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At the ground level - a quirky interior, cosy seating areas, and a great selection of drinks and food! But if you go upstairs though you will discover...
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An a family-owned independent cheese shop that opened in 1994 and has been going strong since then. Their selection of cheeses is outstanding and varied.
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Barnsbury Wood is enjoyed by Londoners all year round, but it is at its most glorious in the summer months when the trees are drenched in golden sunlight.
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