Spillers Records

The world’s oldest record store! Pretty damn hard not to love.
Ok, actually, if you’re not a music fan, and specifically a record fan, there’s not a lot here. It’s two floors and two tiny floors at that. One floor has limited CDs and the other floor has limited vinyl. Worth checking out for the history alone though (founded in 1894! Woah.)
What I was told is that they were forced to move from their original location and are looking for a new spot, so this is a temporary space, hence everything being a little smaller than they’re used to. I hope they do find a more permanent space. Local record stores are dying right and left and to lose this one? It’d be too sad to think about. But on the plus side, at least they’d have the right music to soundtrack it if you did give it some thought.
Still, I just read the old reviews and apparently they’ve been looking for a new space for years now? Maybe that’s just what they tell people. Sad. Cue the music.

Poor selection of electronic music vinyl e.g. house. No where to preview it that I could see. Otherwise nice staff and layout.

One of the most memorable record stores I’ve ever been in. Sadly I only got to visit twice. You can feel the history in the shop. I can’t comment on the new location as I have yet to go in.

It’s certainly a sad fact that Spiller’s has had to move here. The oldest record shop in the entire universe, it started in 1894 and was located on the Hayes since the 1940s, before recently moving here to Morgan Arcade.
But there’s been enough of that. Times change and all that. It’s lost a little bit of its charm here and isn’t as run down as the previous shop but I don’t really care to be honest! They’ve still got a great selection and are happy to order things in if you’re after something specific. I recently came in to buy the new Mike Patton record. It wasn’t there but they were happy to order it in.
There’s the regular selection of rock and pop downstairs with a listening station and vinyls upstairs. There’s photos on the walls of the various celebrities to come and visit. The only one I can remember right now is Henry Rollins from Black Flag but there were quite a few others.
If you’re in Cardiff and you like music then you have to visit Spiller’s just to say you have. It’s not so iconic now it’s moved but who cares? The fact it’s still going after the death of so many independent record stores is worthy of a visit in itself.

I find it deeply saddening that Spillers, reported to be the oldest record shop in the world, has had to move its shop location to Morgan Arcade. I am relieved that the shop has not closed down all together but I really miss seeing it where it used to be located. I used to walk past the shop daily and whenever I had a moment spare I would pop in to have a browse. I’m particularly in favour of this store as it is independently owned and not a part of some umbrella corporation or franchise etc.
When I walk into your typical entertainment store (HMV for instance) I kind of get the feeling I am in an entertainment supermarket and I don’t quite get the same feeling as I do when I visit a record shop. I mean a dedicated record shop which might happen to sell some DVDs if they are music related. With Spillers, you get a personal experience, you can talk to the staff who know their stuff and you know that they are quite likely to be in the store the next time you visit. That way you build a relationship and they are able to better suit your needs. HMV would probably just ask you to fill out a customer satisfaction survey.

Spillers moved not long ago, not far, just into Morgan Arcade rather than on the Hayes. Still though, this seemed to change the place completely.
Before, Spillers used to have the look of a quirky, slightly rundown, music store than was being visited by the same people that had been going there for the last fifty years. It had a kind of charm, partly because it was so different to all the other shops around it (most being brightly lit chains). If you like an analogy with your review; it was like a busker amongst a bunch of bankers.
Spillers has moved in the Morgan Arcade now and is like a different place entirely, it’s all clean and shiny, and, most strangely of all… empty. What happened to all the stock? I’m hearing noises saying that Morgan is a temporary location (not sure I understand why there are so many moves) so that might clear a few things up.
It’s still cool though, take a look music fans. If you knew the old Spillers though, beware, it’s like invasion of the Spillers snatchers at the moment.

Please pardon this particularly crass analogy but Spillers at the moment, in its new location, is a bit like seeing a friend after a bad accident. You still love them, you always will, but at this instant in time it’s a bit hard seeing them. You’re relieved that they’re still here and you can see that they’ll get better soon and be back to their old self but right here, right now it’s kinda awkward.
The Morgan Arcade shop is apparently a temporary solution, hence the limited stock they currently hold, and they’ve done a nice job with it, but if I went there for the first time, with no experience of the old shop and little idea of the history, I imagine I’d be a little underwhelmed. The upper vinyl listening area is little more than a landing. The bank of flyers and magazines is gone to be replaced with a few copies of Stool Pigeon on the floor (still no Vice though, the moment they tweet they’re in, they’re gobbled up). The light and airy interior seems to jolt with the indier than thou ethos of the local independent record shop.
Still it’s here, it’s still supporting local bands, local venues and local promoters. They’ll still order in practically any record you want and know whether it’s any good or not. This bastion of the Cardiff music scene is still going.
And it’s still the best record shop in Cardiff.

Spillers should be mentioned any time Wales comes into the mention. Well, anytime Wales and music in the same conversation is mentioned.
It is the oldest record shop in the world… yes the World!
Literally, any music lovers must go.
Now make sure you have ample time and when I say ample, we’re talking a few hours to browse and marvel in the place that is Spillers.
Staff are so helpful it’s like they’ve had a degree in everything and anything and they’re always willing to help you out.
It’s here you’ll find out about up and coming bands, gigs and generally anything music related. Anyone locally on the music scene will have had a mention here. Get your gig tickets, info and music in the same place.
This is more than a music shop it’s a legacy, a legend and an immensely popular place.
And a complete must is to get your Spillers T-​shirt. Infamous around the city and to people in the know, wink, win k, nudge, nudge!

It’s the famous Spiller’s records, well famous in Cardiff anyway. This retro music store is still going and seems to have out lived many a music store in Cardiff, now we’re down to just HMV and Spillers, should we be worried? I very much doubt it, seeing as this super cool establishment has been around so long and everyone in Cardiff seems to be a dedicated fan.
Apparently it’s the oldest record shop in the world, according to other Unilocalers, I did not know this and am quite frankly, ashamed of myself. I may even go to it a bit more often now, now I realize how bloody cool that is!
Offering you music of a vinyl and standard CD variety, this shop also offers you Spillers memorabilia and other quirky trinkets. Hdlding on for dear life around the posh new, designer stores of St David’s 2, we hope that Spillers remains strong, long live the vinyl!

I’m a bit of a Vinyl Queen and I don’t mean flooring. If there was a fire in my house and it was a choice between my records or my cat I’m afraid Evil Lucy would be no more. So a trip to Spillers is always a «plastic fantastic…» experience in my book.
What about the move? Critics seem to be divided but I’m just glad the old girl is still chugging on. From 74 – 78 Spillers reigned supreme in Cardiff but with the advent of the Virgin Superstore in the late 70’s Spillers days seemed to be numbered. I deserted like everyone else apart from the Rock fans and the Goths who kept it going.
What Spillers does best is have a record stock second to none and also a great ordering service. I remember being very happy getting my Talking Heads 12′. The staff are really knowledgeable about music. They keep the underground music scene in Cardiff going by selling gig tickets and handing out fanzines. It’s more than a record store it’s a meeting place and a place to be seen in your Spillers T-​Shirt.

Well, I take it you like music. That’s why you’re on this part of the page. In that case, I’ll leave headphones, LPs, CDs and whatever to you and the expertise of the lovely staff in Spillers.
What I will say, though, is that this store must not be underestimated when it comes to plotting Cardiff’s events and nights out. With its finger always on the pulse of club-​nights and gigs, this is a company that can certainly point you in the right direction for a good time in Cardiff.
After you’ve spent a comfortable few hours browsing the shelves in a trance of musical memory and appreciation, take a moment to look at any posters and be sure to pick up a flyer or two.
Spillers also sells tickets for numerous gigs around the city so why not ask the staff for any recommendations?
For me, the most refreshing thing about Spillers and the reason why it has stayed in the heart of Cardiff’s residents for so long is its pure commitment to music. Mirroring music’s journey from cassette to MP3, Spillers has moved outside of the box and will surely provide an essential contribution to Cardiff’s music scene for many years to come.
URBAN CHALLENGE: Pick up a flyer at random and go along, whatever it is

It’s Spillers. Spillers Records. Oldest record store in the world. Spillers t-​shirts on every burgeoning music lover around Cardiff. Spillers is cool. Spillers is wonderful. Spillers is a magical place where vinyl lives and breathes again.
Well, now Spillers is bloody hard to find.
That’s an exaggeration. But what was once a staple of Cardiff, prominently displayed on the Hayes and what should have been kept on the Hayes as a wonderful counterpoint to the rising majesty of St. David’s 2 across from it; what should have been left to serve as a comparison and companion piece to the new building, displaying the oldest of Old Cardiff next to the newest of New Cardiff has now been shuffled away into the dark recesses of the Morgan Arcade, which is going to hit profits and whilst it may not be the only cause, will at least contribute to the eventual death of the oldest record store in the world.
So if you want to keep this little piece of Cardiff alive, and let the city retain its soul, head into the arcade next to TK Maxx. It’s on the junction of the arcade, and if you’re looking for it, you can’t really miss it. Keep Spillers alive, even if we couldn’t keep it on They Hayes.

I’m probably going to get lynched for saying this but I ‘am not impressed with the new location of Spillers in the Morgan Arcade. Before hand I did enjoy Spillers because of the history (being the oldest in the world) and the fact you could go in there and spend hours finding some great records. The new location however feels really synthetic maybe because it’s bigger but I just think the owners have tried to recreate that same nostalgic atmosphere by putting up posters but it doesn’t seem to come close.
For some reason I took notice that the floor was a bit bouncy (a bit strange I know). That said there one thing about Spillers that will never change and that the amount of long lost records as well as fairly new bands that if you have a bit of spare cash it may be worth the gamble.

I’m not one to croon the moving lament… yes, Spillers is legendary, and yes, a move to the Morgan Arcade spells change, but if Spillers can breath a new lease of life into this failing monolith then all well and good!
When all is said and done, arcades are cloistered affairs, and that suits Spillers down to the ground. Besides, it’s spent too long out in the rain… a canopy in its dotage only seems fair! So what if the new concession it occupies sheds a bit of light on Spillers fabled vinyl? All the better to appreciate the artwork and production values! And isn’t that part of the attraction of buying those big old discs anyway?
Nowadays DJ’s can exercise their fetish for purity to the nth degree. No more squinting and tipping their prize towards the light in the dim gloom of an altogether more pokey space. Here the 12″ wonders positively glint with promise, in their roomy new outlet. Spillers has extended its girth, rather seemingly in my estimations, for an eminent old gent!

If you’ve not heard of Spillers then just pretend you have as its a little uncool not to know.
I do not collect vinyl nor do I know anyone who does but I’ve often pretended I used to be a regular at Spillers. As a youngster I could often be heard dropping Spillers name into my conversation just to impress the odd would be girlfriend, «Yeah well i had to order it from Spillers coz even they didn’t have the 12 inch in stock»
So if you’re visiting Cardiff you have to pop into Spillers as apparently it is «the oldest record shop in the world».
It’s just a pity it had to move to new premises as I think the new light and airy shop in the Morgan’s Arcade is a bit like a music lover deciding to dump all his dark moody vinyl collection in preference for shiny new compact discs.

I read today that Spillers has moved to new premises in Morgan Arcade, after 60 years in the Hayes! It seems a shame, in some ways — but on the other hand their new shop has more light, with 180 degree window space, so plenty of room to show off their new releases… see their website at
for a full update on the move.

Spillers is cool, therefore if you go to Spillers you are cool by association.
Wearing a Spillers T-​Shirt? Loose 10 cool points I’m afraid. Hang around the place and buy obscure albums on the day of release? Gain 20 cool points.
Once a haven for me in my goth days, Spillers stocks all kinds of classic, contemporary and completely abstract music so if you’re looking for that special edition of an album you’ve been looking for then Spillers can help you or at the very least advise you proper on how to get your greasy mitts on it.
It’s also a place to get gig/​events tickets and one of the few places in Cardiff that has a stash of VICE magazine, which is my new obsession. (Please don’t judge me)

If your cool you’ll know all about this shop. Started in 1894 Spillers specialised in selling Phones?! In the early 20c, really? Oh wait, Phonographes, sorry. They relocated to the Hayes in the 1920’s and have sold vinyls, CD’s and music DVD’s ever since (Those latter examples came later obviously)
There was a worry a few years ago that it was going to be shut down thanks to the delights of Cardiff being built around them but were eventually saved thankfully.
Now as a music fan, this is the place I want to be. Real music for real fans, staffed by people who know that they are talking about.
Spillers feels special every time I go in, I often come out with some hidden treasure after seeing the staffs recommendations or after I speak to them about the bands I like and what’s new (My ear is defiantly not to the floor when it comes to popular culture I’m afraid.) Something that always leaves me with a smile as I exit the shop.
There’s a real old antique feel to the place that makes the small shop feel different to those shiny soulless chained stores.
Your not gonna get anything cheaper in here, but what you are doing is supporting a dying breed of independently owned music stores that feel like they are there for the love of music, not money!