There are two World's Apart shops in Liverpool and contrary to the name they are actually quite…read moreclose together. This building in Lime street is a mess and needs a sympathetic refurb and clean. I was surprised to discover that actually this shop is part of a small chain. I visited the shop for the first time this week. It's full of comics and toys you simply can't get elsewhere - not that I have tried. So many of the toy figures I could not recognise although I did spot some of the original Dr Who figures and some from Final Fantasy. Forget Toys R Us, this place is a wealth of badges, stickers, games and oddness for kids, adults and fans of things I've never even heard of.

Like its geeky counterpart, Forbidden Planet on Bold, World's Apart deals in all things cult. Cult…read moreis often a term used to describe things that have a strong, devoted core audience - or for studio executives something with low viewing figures. But no more, the popularity if this store can be seen on Saturday afternoons as children and adults alike fill the store and rummage through the amazing collections of limited edition, imported and new toys, comics, books, graphic novels, DVDs, posters and clothing for every genre and range of sci-fi, horror and anime franchise.

That's Entertainment is a chain of music and DVD shops, with a few games owned by Music Magpie, the…read moreonline giant in the UK. This particular branch is actually located in Liverpool, due to its' location I'm sure it is classed as being apart of the St John's centre. I basically came in here just to browse the games, I asked a member of staff and she pointed me in the right direction, but she sadly didn't seem really friendly and she didn't stand out on her level of helpfulness. The game selection was quite small, and in all honesty most of the stock was just rubbish even from old consoles such as the original Xbox, which I doubt have any value anymore since they stopped making the games and as far as I'm aware can't be used on the newer 360 or One consoles. There seemed very few games on the other hand on new consoles such as the Xbox One or PS4. The selection was quite weird, there was a small selection of books and a larger selection of CD's and DVD's which were the main things this store stocked. Inside, it carried on the tradition which That's Entertainment seem to do of being slightly basic. The range seems out of touch, they are stocking really old stuff and not the newer stuff which can be used from new consoles, most games stocked seem to be old also, for example the latest FIFA version was 2013, and they even had some dating back to 2009, this store is out of date, in terms of decor and stock and because of this sadly suffers the same negative fate as its' Oldham branch to warrant a single one star here in Liverpool.

One of the last remaining secondhand record shops in Liverpool is Hairy Records. Situated at the…read moretop of Bold Street, it's a gloriously ramshackle shop that has literally dozens of racks of old vinyl. The window is a great indicator of what you'll find inside with well thumbed copies of early Dylan, Neil Young and Van Morrison records alongside old classics by The Cure, The Smiths and The Specials. It's not all rock and pop however, as inside there are literally hundreds of brilliant soul, funk, disco, motown, northern soul, girl groups, reggae and krautrock albums. If you can't find what you're looking for, ask the friendly owner and there's a chance he might have a copy somewhere. I only chatted to him for five minutes and it was clear his passion and enthusiasm for music was infectious. In the week, Hairy Records is quite quiet so you'll have time to look through everything without being disturbed. At weekends however, expect to be elbowed by local musicans like The Zutons and The Coral. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJrGKqYYfdY

Liverpool's selection of independent record shops is so bad, considering the city's monumental…read moremusical heritage, it's almost laughable. Hairy is one of the few left and is probably the biggest and best known. Its collection of vinyl is tremendous with stacks and stacks from all genres and eras that you can happily spend days rooting through them all. But like all specialist shops - particularly record shops - there is always a catch. Remember High Fidelity? Remember the father innocently asking Jack Black if he had a copy of 'I Just Called To Say I Love You'? Yep, just be careful.

Staying on the subject of love, peace and understanding, News From Nowhere is Liverpool's longest…read morerunning community bookshop. A not-for-profit organisation run by a workers co-operative, it's a welcoming environment with friendly staff committed to social change. As you'd expect from their window displays, the emphasis is firmly on books that inspire and empower people to make positive change to the world. There's a decent section of fiction along one wall of the shop but really, News From Nowhere is the place to go if you're looking for books on politics, activism, the environment, human rights, animal rights, peace, global equality, feminism, sexuality, gay, lesbian and queer culture, spirituality, Jewish diaspora, health and well being or world fiction. They also stock roots and world music CDs and have a notice-board advertising community events, meetings and demonstrations. In a world that's becoming more corporate and generic by the minute, News From Nowhere offers genuine and life-affirming food for thought.

News From Nowhere is a radical bookshop situated at the top end of the trendy Bold Street. It has a…read morewide variety of books, in many genres including fiction, gay and lesbian, feminism and women, masculinity and men, politics, philosophy, spirituality, sexuality, Liverpool, media and culture, arts and photography and so many more! The staff really helpful and knowledgeable about what they stock - which makes a change, as so many of the big chain bookshops don't have a clue. I recommend checking out the website as you can also order from there, but then you miss out on the dusty smell of the shop. It appeals a lot more to the average consumer now with a wider range of popular goods. There's all sorts of little pieces such as some funky postcards.

If you're after the new Lady Gaga or Rhiannon single, HMV will have what you're looking for. If…read moreyou're looking for something more leftfield however, I'd recommend checking out one of the city's independent record shops like Probe or Hairy Records. The shops have more character than HMV and they have helpful selections like New Releases, Alt. Country and Psychadelic Rock where as this HMV just has more mainstream categories like Rock, Pop, Urban and Heavy Metal. Admittedly, there's always special offers on here like 3 CDs or DVDs for £20 but the rest of the stock is pretty steepily priced. I saw some Johnny Cash and Emmylou Harris albums I wouldn't have minded getting but was shocked by the pricetags. I also found they were a couple of pounds cheaper when I looked on HMV's website later! Lissie covering Lady Gaga: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MWe07krS8_E

A sad situation indeed, but this wraps up my reviews in England…read more The Beatles Shop on Mathew Street has a bit of this and that - pretty much everything you could ask for Beatles wise. Aside from the usual t-shirts, keychains, mugs, etc, they also have some memorabilia and signed items for sale which really make this shop worth it. I bought the most adorable fluffy Love Me Do slippers for 15gbp and two magnets for 3.50 each. I wouldn't necessarily venture out of my way for the shop but if you're going to be in the area (and if you're a Beatles fan, you will be), then pop in!

Records CDs DVDs…read moreBooks Annuals Photographs Signed Prints Posters Figurines Toys & Mugs Established in 1984, The Beatles Shop is a must for hardcore fans. Located in a basement on Matthew Street, it's an atmospheric shop with enthusiastic staff, a display of original memorabilia and a Beatles carpet. Beatles song play from the original 1959 jukebox as you browse and there's a massive display of authentic and new Beatles related merchandise and memorabilia. I fell in love with the signed Astrid Kirchherr prints but can't imagine the Beatles front-man would have approved of the Lennon dollar bills on sale! The Beatles performing on the roof of Apple HQ: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6G7MkBMVxE

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

Great music shop stocking every conceivable title, from chart cds to the most unusual and obscure…read moretitles. If you know what you are after and are finding it hard to get hold of then give here a go, by the same note if you've no idea what your after then you'll no doubt find many things to tickle your fancy here! Staff are knowledgable and passionate about what they sell. A fantastic music shopping experience!

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 ...

O.M.D. The Icicle Works…read moreTeardrop Explodes Echo & The Bunnymen Frankie Goes To Hollywood The La's The Coral The Zutons & Candie Payne The list of artists that have bought instruments from Curly Music probably stretches the length of the shop. The reason they've chosen to shop there is simple, it's one of the longest running independent music shops 'run by musicians for musicians'. That means there's a top notch selection of guitars, bass, drums, keyboards, synthesisers, drum machines and percussion from leading brands. Beginners can pick up special guitar packages (including unbranded Telecasters and Marshall amps for a bargain £159) whilst there's a great secondhand section including Rickenbackers, Fender Stratocasters and Gibson Les Pauls for seasoned musos. Helpfully, Curly also sell spares and mend instruments on site. The thing that's most endearing however, is the staff's obvious love of all things musical. If you don't play an instrument yet, they'll make you leave wanting to!

Curly Music stock a huge range of musical instruments and is one of three musical shops on the same…read morestreet. It is argubly the best of the three. I am no music expert but I don't have to be, as anybody (whether or not you're a novice) will realise that staff here are passionate enough in the field to provide sound advice on all your musical needs. You can feel and sample instruments to your heart's content given permission, which is more than welcome. Curly Music are the most affordable out of the three music stores. It is undoubtedly a well-established independent shop, that ranks high with many music lovers.