A Liverpool institution, Probe was immortalised in Kevin Sampson's Awaydays as the shop everyone…read morevisited in the late 70s to buy the latest punk and no wave singles. Three decades on, they still have a small selection of Joy Division and Magazine albums but their stock is much more eclectic. Alongside classic funk, soul, dub and electro, there are racks devoted to krautrock, psyche, garage, indie, freakbeat and classic rock. Endearingly, vinyl is the dominating medium rather than CDs with lots of lovingly sourced re-issues as well as new and original releases. The staff are friendly and knowledgable and more than happy to play records if you want to try before you buy. If only all record shops were like this! The magnificent Magazine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nImOq_eWHEM&feature=related

Not much to add here on Probe Records, as everyone affirms it's a real-life genuine piece of…read moremusical heritage in a city where a lot relies on the idea of the ghost of the myth of the beat-era. Offering a broad selection of punk, post-punk, indie, funk, soul and reggae on CD and Vinyl, Probe is really the one-stop shop for music you might not find in HMV. It feels like a real record shop too; blasting a selection of funk and punk cult classics through the speakers, with wooden rack upon wooden rack of records, some with little well-thought out recommendation cards. The staff are friendly and surprisingly un-high fidelity-y in that a misstepped request won't be answered with a volley of insults in the direction of your musical knowledge. Regulars are treated well and newcomers are treated like regulars. A few years ago I asked for the new Iron and Wine album (the fantastic, laid-back "Our Endless Numbered Days") and although it wasn't out until Monday they let me have it anyway. Brilliant.

Probably still the first choice record shop for DJs who like to get their hands on the goods first…read morerather than odering online, 3 Beat has been the staple provider for all things dance. The reason record shops are still important, or at least ones like 3Beat and Probe, is that they are seen as a focal point for the followers of their chosen specialities. Having been around since 1989, 3Beat has had enough time to define itself and build up a reputation meaning that it has become a place for budding DJs to get some advice and professionals the chance to, well, hang around and have a brew with the lads behind the counter. They also sell tickets for all the big nights in the city and around the Northwest but of course if you really do stick to being a bedroom DJ then you can always buy the records from their website.

Owned and run by a collective of deejays, 3 Beat Records used to be the best place to buy and…read morelisten to dance music in the city. Opened in 1989, they caught the tail end of the acid house scene before branching into deep house, techno, electro, breaks, trance and hardcore. I personally didn't like everything they sold but I loved the fact they stocked obscure Richie Hawtin and Matthew Herbert records alongside new white labels and monster club hits. Though 3 Beat is still going as a record label and online store at www.threebeatrecords.co.uk, unfortunately they decided to close the shop last summer. Suffice to say, there's a definite air of silence where there was once rumbling basslines and beats. (: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCIAJRCxNGU

Vinyl shopping is somewhat of a cult really, isn't it. All those stacks of dusty LPs in there,…read morethey've squeezed every last gem they can find into that itsy bitsy room oh and then there's the Funeral for a Friend LP I spotted on the wall. I suppose this is Quiggins after all. There is quite an extensive Beatles section as one would expect in Liverpool, some rarities and also some classics. They also stock decent CDs (You know, them new fandagled whatsits that came after vinyl?) and DVDs too. However, they also have tapes. Including The Terminator Soundtrack. Amazing.

Like Probe Records and Hairy Records, this is one amazing shop if you love and adore music on vinyl…read morerecords, or even if you just love old music and you are trying to find that special song, or that last missing album from your collection. There is quiet a variety here, so there is something for everyone. Also, they sell a few second hand CD's of popular oldies music as well, so even if you don't have a record player, it's still worth a pop in. They are located upstairs in Grand Central on Renshaw Street. So, polish your dancing shoes and wheel that old "gramophone" out of the closet because you're going to need it ...

Kind Charity Shop in Bold Street is one of the largest charity shops I have been to. In here they…read moresell a charming collection of items that make the perfect little gift. Anything from mugs, 'The Beatles' picture frames and football memorabilia, they have here. The shop is quite spacious with several welcoming staff that greet you with a smile each time you enter. All prices in general are cheap with all funds going towards a good cause for helping local families and children. This shop offers more variety than most of the smaller charity shops as they fit in items such as ornaments, clothes and crockery. As well as that, they have the usual suspects like children's books and videos. The shop generates a good browse whenever passing by, because there is always something new in the window display. And sometimes, these items can be quite unique.

This will not be the typical charity shop that you will be expecting. There are no kooky vintage…read moreclothes to be had, no vinyl records to be salvaged from obscurity and no...oh wait hang on, yup it actually does have the same charity shop smell. I'm not sure where that comes from...maybe it's the staff. Anyway the Kind Charity Shop seems to sell things that are gained in bulk - God knows where from mind you - such as crockery, furniture, pictures and well to be honest just about anything you would probably never think of buying but see here at such a ridiculous price and end up trying to find somewhere for it in your house.

This is the homiest, happiest little shop run by a true Beatles fan. You can spend a little on…read morelittle collector postcards or hundreds on signed memorabilia. It almost feels like a little museum with all the cases of Beatles goodies. The shop owner is so fun to talk to as he's full of Beatles stories and loves to stop to tell you about them. And when my daughter picked up a John Lennon pencil topper and promptly bit his nose off, he laughed it off and let her have it. The shop is on Matthew Street and just down the street from the Cavern Club. Definitely a must for the hardcore fan.

Very organized and well run- cafe at the end and an extensive gift shop…read moreLearned a lot!!

If you are anywhere near the Empire Theatre with some time to spare, this small rare and second…read morehand book shop is a treat to visit. Just look out for the big clock. There a books packed on shelves from floor to the high ceiling for the depth of the shop. Outside there is a 10p bookcase with some interesting titles. The sign above the door reads "Books purchased from Single Items to the Largest Library. All Subjects, All periods, 16th Century to Modern Paperbacks." They also purchase classical and jazz LPs and CDs but the first floor department is not open yet. There are all manor of books to browse from specialist subjects to old annuals. They have recently been refurbished but the bookshop has an real old fashioned feeling.

Henry Bohn is a mini second hand book shop that has surprisingly and most recently attracted my…read moreattention. It is a mystery that I bothered to walk in after so many years I've passed this shop. Outside the entrance currently has a collection of books on sale for as cheap as 10p each. I don't know anywhere else where you can buy books for 10p! Most of these books are in adequate condition and of course readable. Inside is a different story. There are stacks full of books that feature many genres such as classics like Shakespeare and plenty of other literature including poetry. Plus, if that's not enough to tempt you, then they have a variety of music CD's. For example, jazz, classical, blues and LP's too. All of these items are affordable and if you have any unwanted items, you can trade in for cash depending on the type of book and condition. This is what's great about the shop as both sides can benefit. In terms of the layout, it is rather narrow and the lighting is a bit dull. Other than that, you can't really argue much about the items they sell. There is something for everyone here and it could be your lucky day if you come across a valuable read.

If you're a crate digger or just looking to replay your old records, this shop is ideal. Skeleton…read moreRecords sells over 100,000 new and used records, CD's, DVD's and cassettes of all genres of music. The vinyl section of the store is amazing and you could be there for hours digging like I have, and you're guaranteed to find something you like, the prices range from 10p to collectible records which are priced on their rarity, but if you're looking for CD's, DVD's and other things you will be able to find the things you are looking for, big up to Skeleton Records and vinyl shall live on. Store recommended, peace.

Yes, I'm a little bit odd and like owning stuff nobody else has, and usually this means either…read moremaking it myself, having it made by somebody else, or finding really old stuff that doesn't get made anymore. As far as the latter goes, it seems this is a catching on trend, and is known as 'vintage'. Everyone wants something vintage. Which makes me want it less. However, 69A manages to keep me grounded. It's just off-the-cuff enough to stay out of mainstream, and has a feeling that you've clambered into the boot of a Lada at a car boot sale (those not as old fashioned as me may want to google Lada cars...) It is packed with goodies from all eras, and has enough variety to keep you sifting through for a whole afternoon, should the feeling take you. Hopefully not about to be hijacked by the kids who view it as a fad, 69A has been around long enough to hold its own in the vintage stakes and outlast the craze. And then I can go back to liking vintage again.

I always come here for a browse, just because I'm never really sure what I'm going to find!…read more Dust-covered hardback poetry and prose share shelving happily with Dance and Acid House records and 18th century chinese dynasty clocks share cabinet space with tatty looking curios. It is all seemingly a jumbled explosion of antiques with an Art Deco style figure, worth £450 rubbing shoulders with a disused chimney pot. However, clearly although there are second hand clothes, earrings, ties galore, records and brooches, knick-knacks and badges there are also some pretty good buys if you fancy yourself as a bit of a collector (or at least have seen enough episodes of Antiques Roadshow to think you can spot a bargain). Mainly you need to look up to see these, the expensive stuff tends to be locked away or like the vases which line the walls, a little out of reach. In the glass cases at the front I noticed 69A has a great selection of pottery from Poole's to a really cool 1960s Wedgewood blown glass art vase. The wierdest thing that sticks out in my mind which I've seen in one of the back cabinets is an unused pair of 1965 pajamas Age 2-3 still in its cellophane. Odd. So come here if you want an interesting and strange trip back in time!

This Oxfam is one of the best secondhand bookshops in the city. Occupying a large corner shop on…read moreBold Street, it has about a dozen bookcases stuffed with everything from fiction, film, music and biographies to local history and geography books. Admittedly, prices aren't as cheap as they used to be - you're talking about £2.99 for a recent novel or anthology - but given that new paperbacks are usually £7.99 - £9.99 now this doesn't seem unreasonable. When I popped in recently, I managed to find almost new copies of Zoe Heller's Believers, Marilynne Robinson's Home and Chris Cleave's The Other Hand. Budding photographers and film directors should also note that they stock a great selection of vintage cameras, super-8 cameras and select albums and 12"s on vinyl. The staff are friendly too and they usually have great psychedelic pop or 60s rock on the stereo.

Oxfam is one of my favourite charity shops. It is also the most well known with all proceeds going…read moreto serious and useful causes. The branch in Bold Street is one of the largest selling a variety of random goods; these are all in good condition and no one should be put off by the fact that every item is second hand. The attractiveness I like about second hand shops is just being able to browse freely amongst previously owned items, once in a while coming across an object that catches my eye. At the end of the day, it's all by accident if I buy a product here. Not many people shop at Oxfam with a target. It all begins with a small browse! Moreover, you will be guaranteed a bargain for your efforts.