A RECORD shop which began in a university bedroom has grown into a staple of Chelmsford’s music scene.
Intense Records, founded by John Smith in 1999, started as a mail-order business when he was 21 years old.
The first shop opened in 2003 under a railway arch on Viaduct Road, specialising in dance music.
Two decades later, a second shop launched in the Meadows Shopping Centre, offering a wider range of new and second-hand music on vinyl.
Shop assistant James Hulbert has been close friends with John since they were teenagers and helped open the newer store.
He told Essex County News: "We originally opened in the Meadows as a pop-up shop over Christmas, due to the popularity of vinyl records.
"But we stayed open thanks to the boom in physical media."
James credits the vinyl revival for the shop’s continued success, especially among younger customers.
He said: "Young people are starved of physical media, so they’re getting in to vinyl and CDs.
"Kids like collecting, and want something physical from their favourite band, which they can’t get on Spotify or YouTube.
"Collecting is a key part of young people’s lives."
James says Intense Records stands out because of its knowledgeable and passionate staff.
He said: "We’re not just here for a job - music’s our life."
All the staff are musicians or DJs, who support each other when performing at gigs over at weekends.
“We’re always surrounded by music,” James added.
The shop has built a diverse customer base, including Jamie and Ruby Shepherd, a father and daughter from Great Baddow.
Jamie, 37, said: "I think it’s great that an independent business is doing well in Chelmsford.
"It offers something different to the mainstream."
Ruby, 12, said: "I think it’s cool to get something physical.
"We play a lot of music at home."
New customer Sue Hance, 70, is a long-time music fan.
She said: "Vinyl records have become popular again, but I remember them the first time around.”
As well as promoting local bands, Intense Records sells music-inspired pen-and-ink artworks by Ian Moore.
Subjects include Prince, the Stone Roses and Billie Eilish, with each piece taking between seven and nine hours to complete.
Ian, from Great Totham, said: "The team are friendly and know what they’re talking about."
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