SWAPPING the classroom for the shop floor is not a typical career change, but it isn't one Alan Clifford regrets.

For 17 years, the former Colchester Sixth Form teacher has owned Colchester Classics, a CD and vinyl shop in Osborne Street where you can find countless recordings of… well, the classics.

Dr Clifford is originally from London, but studied at Essex University in the 1980s before completing a master’s at Warwick and then returning to Colchester where he earned his PhD in philosophy.

As the shop’s only member of staff, Dr Clifford also acts as the human encyclopaedia on music spanning centuries – from Tallis to Tchaikovsky, and Scarlatti to Stravinsky.

Gazette: Quaint – Classics sells mainly CDs and vinyl, with the latter having enjoyed a resurgence in recent yearsQuaint – Classics sells mainly CDs and vinyl, with the latter having enjoyed a resurgence in recent years (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

Profits from the small outfit may be modest, but it allows Dr Clifford, who is now in his fifties, to both pursue his own passion and share it with others.

He said: “Once I know people’s tastes, I tend to guide them towards things that might interest them.

“Some people just know what they want, but I certainly introduce people to a lot of new things they haven’t heard because I have such a knowledge of repertory and wide range of tastes.”

It’s true – when it comes to contemporary pop music, Dr Clifford says Lana Del Ray is a particular favourite.

Not that you will find her on CD or vinyl, of course, but if you are looking for a composer of a certain vintage and they are on compact disc, the chances are Dr Clifford has it – or knows how to get hold of it.

Stores like Classics are hard to come by these days given the ease at which people can stream music, but the novelty of a CD or a vinyl is enough to keep people coming back.

“There was nothing like this in Colchester at the time I opened – the only previous shop was Classics and Jazz," Dr Clifford explained.

Gazette: Passion – Alan Clifford said he loves being able to pursue music whilst owning his own businessPassion – Alan Clifford said he loves being able to pursue music whilst owning his own business (Image: Daniel Rees, Newsquest)

“It was very similar to mine, but it closed a few years before.

“People who like classical music tend to like CDs because they are easy to use; younger people have turned to vinyl but that’s more for pop music.”

As long as Dr Clifford still has a passion for music – and it has not showed any sign of fading – his compact Colchester Classics will still be around.

“I don’t have any plans to stop any time soon,” he said.

“I will probably be here for a while.”