The shop has seen the likes of John Lennon, Pete Best and Elvis Costello through its doors over the years
Wayne Colquhoun, Billy Maher, Philomena Maher and Colin Hanton, original member of the Quarrymen, with original owner Diane Cain, front, at the unveiling of a new plaque at The Musical Box(Image: Liverpool Echo)
A Liverpool record shop has officially been recognised as the oldest independent store of its kind in the country during a presentation this afternoon (September 27). The Musical Box, on West Derby Road in Tuebrook, which has proved to be a cornerstone for the city’s music scene for the last 78 years, has remained in the hands of the same family for four generations.
The legacy of the shop and its roots in the city have made it a popular destination for both local people and tourists alike over the years. The shop’s reputation extends beyond the city, particularly due to its connection to The Beatles during their formative years.
The shop was originally owned by Diane Cain’s uncle Jack Lewis, but when the family returned to Liverpool, Diane’s mother, Dorothy, later bought the Tuebrook shop. Today, the business is run by Diane’s son Tony Quinn and his wife Paula, with her grandsons also helping and running the social media accounts.
The shop has been visited by many famous faces over the years, including the likes of John Lennon, Pete Best and Elvis Costello.
Now, the shop has been honoured with a plaque, unveiled by Antiques Roadshow expert Wayne Colqhoun, officially recognising it as the oldest independent record shop in the country.
Customers and staff at the unveiling of a new plaque at The Musical Box (Image: Liverpool Echo)
The plaque was created in collaboration with Liverpool City Council’s heritage team and the UNESCO City of Music team.
Paula Quinn, Co-owner of The Musical Box, said: “We are deeply honoured that The Musical Box will have a permanent tribute and recognition for being the oldest Independent Record Shop in England.
“This is not just a proud moment for our family, but also a celebration of Liverpool’s long & rich Musical Heritage. Music has always been at the heart of our city and we are extremely honoured to have played a small part in that story over the decades and generations.
“We are so thankful to all our loyal customers who have supported us over the decades and made this possible for us. We are so proud to be able to have this title in our city.”
The museum upstairs in The Musical Box(Image: Liverpool Echo)
The ECHO has covered The Musical Box and its history extensively over the years, with the shop discovering old signage earlier this month.
Paula told the ECHO how The Musical Box were having their new shop sign painted at the beginning of the month, but in the process discovered further pieces of their shop history.
Paula said: “The shop sign needed replacing as the one that was up didn’t have the original date on it. It had 1951 on it and that was when Tony’s nan took the shop over from a brother.
“But her brother had it in 1947, so we say the family business was established 1947. The dates didn’t correspond, so we thought we’d get a new shop sign and now we’re going more old school and getting it hand-painted.”
Paula said they could already see traces of one ghost sign which they wanted to preserve from the 1960s. But it wasn’t until the current shop sign was removed that the family discovered other ghost signs.