More about Squires Gate

We have been a unique source for classical recordings of all kinds since 1954, first on LP, then Cassettes and now Compact Disc, and where available, DVD/Video.

In the early days of LPs, we first called ourselves The Long Playing Record Library Ltd, and later we chose the logo Squires Gate Music Centre.

(Squires Gate marks the boundary between St Annes on Sea and Blackpool, and is not far from our present headquarters). The “Gate” itself has long disappeared. Although the Squire’s estate has much contracted, Squire Clifton’s residence still exists as a stately home at Lytham St Annes, not too far away from us.

The Penguin Guide, written Jointly by Ivan March, Edward Greenfield and Robert Layton, was recently dubbed “The Bible for the discriminating record collector” by the Sunday Telegraph.

The Sunday Times confirmed this with the comment: “The authors’ scope and zeal are stunning, their standards of judgement, and accuracy high.”

And The Wall Street Journal evaluated the recent edition as “More valuable than ever to any serious collector of classical music”.

The Penguin Guide is regarded as the authoritative guide to the best in recorded classical music, by Radio networks, Public libraries and Record stores, world wide, to say nothing of thousands of individual record collectors both sides of the Atlantic, and as far afield as Honolulu, Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong.

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