STE Davidson bought his first vinyl record when he was just seven - The Beatles’ Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band – and music has been a way of life ever since.
It’s this passion that has just landed the 57-year-old a coveted award – Best Independent Shop in Warrington.
Lizard Inc Records opened five years ago on Legh Street in Warrington providing a hotspot in the town centre, showcasing the vibrant second-hand vinyl market.
The business, which is a haven for any music lover, is the latest winner in our Best of 2022 competition taking Warrington’s Best Independent Shop crown with a victory in the voting earlier this week.
Each week, we focus on different categories to find the best that Warrington has to offer with awards for hair, nails, beauty and fitness being given out as well as fish and chips, pies, pubs, breakfast and afternoon tea already decided.
The latest award category – Best Independent Shop – coincided with the national #ukindieday campaign, aimed at promoting small business owners at the heart of local communities.
Voting is currently taking place in the latest round of the competition with the award for Best Roast Dinner up for grabs with a closing date of midnight on Monday.
Lizard Inc Records – named after Ste’s tendency to stick his tongue out when he goes clubbing - is officially the town’s Best Independent Shop 2022 and Ste - better known as Diddy – has been involved in Warrington’s music scene for decades, working as a DJ as well as buying and selling vinyl.
Ste, whose own personal vinyl collections runs into the thousands, said: “I’m a lifelong music fan – it’s in my blood – and I’ve loved music for as long as I can remember.
“I still DJ in Warrington and have worked with young musicians, bands and DJs to start in the music business.
“Lizard Inc is quite a cool place to hang out and we often get youngsters coming into the shop just to hang out and take a few photos.
“There’s always new stock coming in – my stockroom is packed full of records piled up to the ceiling – and people really enjoy looking through old records to see what we’ve got.”
Ste, who grew up in Padgate and attended Christ Church CE Primary School and Woolston High School, says the most sought-after vinyl that he’s sold was The Singles’ punk record Adolf Hitler – only six known copies exist and he found it in a box of mixed records.
Someone in Oslo bought it for £2,500.
Punk was Ste’s first music love and he loves all genres apart from gangsta rap and country music.
Lizard Inc is a treasure trove of vinyl records - an Aladdin’s Cave for music lovers who like to browse through their extensive catalogues of hits.
One nomination for the shop said: “It’s a great place to go and spend half an hour – you never know what you might find!”
Ste is hugely appreciative of the support he has received from his loyal customers and from the Warrington Guardian for the recent Best of campaign.
Ste said: “With the economy in such a mess and the cost of living crisis affecting everyone, I think it’s brilliant that the Warrington Guardian is supporting local businesses and independent shops.
“So many things are now considered luxuries and people are having to do without because their spare money each month has to go on gas and electric bills or petrol for their car.
“Highlighting independent businesses means a lot and I’m very grateful to all the customers for voting for Lizard Inc.”
He added: “Being given this accolade means that all the effort is worthwhile and confirmation that we are getting something right.
“I'm not rolling in it – I never will be - but to be so has never been the driving force.
“The reward that I take comes as a result of bringing folk together, sharing the best of times, and sharing the gift of music on our most beloved format - vinyl.
“I will endeavour to carry on doing just that for as long as I can.
“I would like to take the opportunity to say a big thank you to all our wonderful customers for taking the time to place a vote for Lizard Inc Records.
“Without and you and your continued custom there would be no Reptile House and that would be unthinkable for us and our town so a massive thank you.
“We couldn't have done it without you."
For more details go to facebook.com/lizardincrecords/
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