Edinburgh Record Shop Vinyl Villains to Close After 43 Years

One of Edinburgh’s longest-running independent record shops is closing after more than four decades, with owner Andy Watters preparing to retire.

Vinyl Villains, at 5 Elm Row near the top of Leith Walk, is expected to close in January 2027, bringing an end to 43 years of trading.

The shop opened in 1983 when Watters and his friend John Edwards decided to turn their love of music into a business. It became a familiar stop for Edinburgh music fans, particularly those hunting for rare records and second-hand vinyl.

Over the years, Vinyl Villains has stocked everything from rock, punk, and reggae to jazz, blues, and folk, alongside CDs, DVDs, music books, and band T-shirts.

Owner Retiring After Four Decades

Speaking to the Edinburgh Evening News, Watters, now 69, explained that he felt it was time to retire and consider what else he wanted to do.

The shop survived some difficult years as CDs and digital music took over, before benefiting from renewed interest in vinyl records.

Watters said he has been surprised by how upset customers are about the closure, with the shop reportedly almost as busy today as it was in its early years.

The announcement follows an uncertain period for other longstanding businesses around Leith Walk. The nearby Deep Sea Takeaways has already closed, while the Sea Breeze Cafe was granted a six-month reprieve earlier this year after facing closure.

For Edinburgh’s record collectors and music fans, there’s still time for one last rummage through the racks before Vinyl Villains closes in January.

The shop is located at 5 Elm Row, Edinburgh EH7 4AA.

More information is available on the Vinyl Villains website.